Wales & West Utilities (WWU) have selected Costain to lead an investigation, which will focus on the potential for hydrogen refueling station integration. This project will focus on the possibility of integrating hydrogen refueling stations into the UK’s existing gas network.

Ofgem agreed to fund the research study and this study will be dedicated to exploring the potential around using the UK’s existing gas network for new hydrogen fueling infrastructure. One of the core aims of this study, will be for it to take into consideration solutions that would provide an opportunity to increase the viability of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV).

This investigation was created as part of WWU’s initiative HyDrive and throughout the study, Costain researchers will consult key regional stakeholders, in order to understand transport demands, plus they will also try to model and forecast future demands that will be made on the network. A final aim of this project will be for Costain to look into and try to identify potential locations and points, where it might be possible for petrol stations to be converted.

Energy Sector Director at Costain, Laura Hughes, commented, “Costain has a rich catalogue of expertise in this field and a deep understanding of how to handle hydrogen safely. This will ensure the report is grounded in practical implementation and ultimately delivers robust, actionable findings.”

Head of Net Zero and Sustainability at WWU, Matthew Hindle, added, “HyDrive is a hugely important initiative for us as we seek to reduce carbon emissions across Wales and the south west of England. Having successfully trialled a hydrogen van earlier this year, one of the challenges was the lack of hydrogen refuelling in the area. The trial required us to set up a bespoke hydrogen refuelling eco-system and clearly highlighted the need for permanent infrastructure if FCEVs are to become a reality.”

Hindle continued, “The lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is not confined to our region and we’re optimistic the project will produce a model which can be used by the broader industry and accelerate the sector’s complicated but pressing road to Net Zero.”