The UK's first building to be fuelled by “green” hydrogen has started as it means to go on by installing a recycled wind turbine to generate the electricity it needs to produce hydrogen.

The hydrogen project commissioned by Yorkshire Forward aims to accelerate Yorkshire's move towards carbon neutrality.

The second hand wind turbine was transported from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham to its new home at the Environmental Energy Technology Centre, (EETC), on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, where it is to be installed.

Transportation of the 30 metre turbine took place late on Friday 5th December 08 to avoid disrupting other vehicular traffic on the busy A1 & M1 motorways. The turbine was dismantled and carried in two parts on two separate trailers - the tower on one trailer, the blades, and hub on another.

Recycling and reusing wind turbines is common practice. The turbines are often decommissioned when wind farms install bigger and more powerful machines.

The turbine being used at the AMP is a V29 VESTAS wind turbine, rated at 225kW and is capable of producing 500 Mega Watt hours of power each year (equivalent to around 100 houses) ideal for lower wind speeds.

At the end of its journey, the turbine was hoisted into place, its job to generate electricity for use by the EETC building and for the on-site production of hydrogen using a state-of-the-art high pressure alkaline electrolyser developed by TNEI's project partners the Pure Energy Centre.

To produce truly "green" hydrogen, the hydrogen must be derived from renewable sources and not fossil fuels that would continue to release CO2. Using wind to generate the electricity ensures that the hydrogen produced is "Green" and using a recycled turbine reduces the carbon footprint of the project still further.

When the first hydrogen is produced in January next year, it will be stored under high pressure and used for a variety of different uses including as a transport fuel or to provide additional electricity in periods of high demand and low wind speed. The energy store will be largest store of green hydrogen anywhere in Europe.

Commenting on the project, Jason Stoyel, TNEI's technical manager explained: "This development is a real life Tomorrow's World style project which will demonstrate to the wider energy community how hydrogen can be used in a commercial setting. Yorkshire Forward should be congratulated for pioneering this development and using hydrogen power."

Jim Farmery, Assistant Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward adds;
"The EETC will not only be a cutting edge hub for businesses leading the way in environmental technologies, it is also an example of excellence in sustainable building. The introduction of a wind turbine to the site only adds to its credentials."