Hydrogen-powered buses start operating in Aberdeen

A fleet of 15 zero-emission hydrogen-powered double-decker buses has been deployed in Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen launch is part of a €32m EU-funded Jive (joint initiative for hydrogen vehicles across Europe) project, which is deploying 139 zero emission buses and refuelling stations across five countries.

Green fleets

In the UK, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Birmingham, and London will obtain the green fleets, with Aberdeen home to the first double-decker buses to operate.

The buses were manufactured by Wrightbus, which enlisted the expertise of Luxfer Gas Cylinders to design, manufacture and supply the hydrogen fuel system that powers them.

The system for the fleet incorporates Luxfer’s G-Stor H2 hydrogen cylinders. According to Luxfer, around 150,000 of these types of cylinders are already in service worldwide, equipping over 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and an increasing number of hydrogen buses plus approximately 4,500 refuse vehicles.

“Hydrogen has an important part to play in the decarbonisation of transport and the reduction in CO2 levels that we need to reach to ensure a net zero future”

“Hydrogen has an important part to play in the decarbonisation of transport and the reduction in CO2 levels that we need to reach to ensure a net zero future, and we’re delighted to be working with Luxfer Gas Cylinders towards achieving this,” said Jo Bamford, chairman of Wrightbus.

“We will see further Wrightbus hydrogen buses in locations across the UK, with fleets due to launch in Birmingham and London later this year. It’s vital that other towns and cities sit up and take note of their example.”

How the onboard hydrogen technology works:

• hydrogen is stored in Luxfer’s multi-cylinder system, located at the rear of the bus. It is regulated to low pressure and feeds an adjacent onboard fuel cell
• the hydrogen passes along the surface of the fuel cell membrane, splitting into protons and electrons that create an electric current. This combines with oxygen from atmospheric air to form water (the only by-product)
• this electric energy charges a battery pack, which is placed beneath the bus floor
• the bus is driven by a compact electric motor that draws on the battery as required.

“At Luxfer, we believe in creating a greener world for future generations, and we’re passionate that hydrogen is the key to safe and sustainable transport,” added Mark Lawday, director at Luxfer Gas Cylinders.

“We’re working with a number of commercial vehicle manufacturers around the world to supply industry leading hydrogen cylinders and, in many cases, to design hydrogen fuel systems to meet the highest technological and safety requirements.”

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