UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support organisation has launched the first of three hydrogen fuel charging facilities that will trial the use of hydrogen to power the UK armed forces’ ‘white fleet’ vehicles, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 21 August 2023.
The first hydrogen power unit (HPU) has been established at RAF Leeming, but the British Army and Royal Navy will also each receive an HPU, at Merville Barracks in Colchester and at HMNB Devonport respectively.
Vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell stack, rather than using energy stored in a battery.
The trialling of hydrogen as an energy source is an important step in the UK defence establishment’s transition to a car and small van fleet that is ‘zero emissions at the tailpipe’ by the end of December 2027.
The trial is being delivered in support of the Sustainable Road Transport (SRT) programme, which focuses on hydrogen as a fuel source as just one of the ways the UK defence establishment might be able to manage electric vehicles (EVs) in the future. The Defence Support organisation will also be exploring further options, including how hydrogen can be used in other ways, such as fully hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The energy, charging and payment infrastructure for the HPU facilities are being provided by renewable energy specialist GeoPura.
Group Captain Gareth Prendergast, RAF Leeming Station Commander, was quoted by the MoD as saying, “It is fantastic to be part of the Defence Support programme exploring the use of hydrogen and how it may support Defence capabilities in the future. The GeoPura system allows us to demonstrate the concept here at RAF Leeming and understand how it can increase resiliency on our bases and influence operations at home and overseas.
Air Commodore Ange Baker, Defence Support organisation’s Head Support Futures and Operational Energy Authority, said of the initiative, “It is an important step to start this trial for rapid recharging of our electric car fleet. Not only does this look at supporting the existing charging network and our electric car fleet, but is also part of the wider work to examine future energy options for military use and to start configuring Defence for the global energy transition.”
Rebecca McLean, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at GeoPura, added: GeoPura is delighted to support RAF Leeming and the MoD in delivering off-grid charging for its growing EV fleet as part of the wider Sustainable Road Transport programme. Hydrogen-powered generators provide a reliable and environmentally friendly source of power with zero harmful emissions, completely unrestricted by grid limitations.”
Peter Felstead