The delivery of the H2 Aberdeen vision has been championed by the Council’s involvement in UK and Scottish Government initiatives and various European projects.
UK and Scottish Government initiatives
Aberdeen City Council has been able to access grant funding to procure hydrogen vehicles through Switched on Fleets (Transport Scotland) and the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub has been awarded funding through the Energy Transition Fund.
European projects:
European projects Aberdeen City Council is involved in:
HyTrEc2- Interreg North Sea Region
Aberdeen City Council status: Lead Partner
Project Aims: The aim of the HyTrEc2 project is develop a hydrogen transport economy in the North Sea Region.
Funded by: European Regional Development Fund and Aberdeen City Council.
Deliverables: Deployment of hydrogen vehicles, green hydrogen production and storage, development of hydrogen refuelling stations and training.
Project Website: HyTrEc2- Interreg North Sea Region
With 94% of transport currently oil based, green transport solutions such as hydrogen will play a key role in achieving EU energy and climate change targets. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are important as they have a larger range than electric battery vehicles and this extended range is essential in the North Sea region, which has a large number of small and medium sized cities and large suburban and rural areas. The key aim is to create conditions so that a hydrogen market can develop, and promote the region as a centre for excellence for hydrogen. The project takes a holistic approach exploring vehicle deployment; hydrogen production, storage and distribution; the supply chain; and training.
Aberdeen has deployed several fuel cell cars and hydrogen range extended vans, plus a hydrogen dual-fuel road-sweeper. As part of the project Aberdeen began the process of creating the hydrogen hub via a business case for green hydrogen production. Aberdeen City Council and partners have also worked closely with the supply chain and education establishments to strengthen the local hydrogen market.
Further information is available here: Linkedin, Twitter
Smart HyAware – Interreg Europe
Aberdeen City Council status: Partner
Project Aims: To promote hydrogen electric mobility by tackling the main infrastructural and technological (range anxiety related) and market uptake barriers related to hydrogen for electro-mobility through the improvement of PI (Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries) linked to structural funds in Europe, addressing the transition to a low carbon economy.
Funded by: The European Regional Development Fund, Opportunity North East and Scottish Enterprise.
Deliverables:
- Draft a regional action plan based on exchange of experiences with Smart HyAware partners.
- North East Scotland Fleet Review (Hydrogen Demand) - established operational requirements for replacement of diesel vehicles and hydrogen demand in the city region.
- Stakeholder engagement to increase awareness of hydrogen potential throughout the city region.
Project Website: Smart HyAware - Interreg Europe
Further information is available here: Linkedin, Twitter, YouTube.
Hector – Interreg North West Europe
Aberdeen City Council Status: Lead Partner
Project Aims: The aim of the HECTOR project is to demonstrate that fuel cell waste trucks provide an effective solution to reduce emissions from road transport.
Funded by: European Regional Development Fund and from Aberdeen City Council
Deliverables: Deployment and testing of 7 hydrogen fuel cell waste trucks in 7 pilot areas across 5 countries in North-West Europe, including the first fuel cell waste truck in the UK to Aberdeen.
Development of training and operational recommendations and a business case for upscaling based on real life operational data.
Project Website: Hector - Interreg North West Europe
Further information is available here: Twitter.
JIVE – Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
Aberdeen City Council Status: Partner
Project Aims: The project aims to prove the role that fuel cell technology can play in decarbonising public transport.
Funded by: Fuel Cell Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, Scottish Government Energy Transition Fund, as well as from Aberdeen City Council.
Deliverables: The Worlds First hydrogen powered double-decker buses deployed in Aberdeen. We have 15 double-decker hydrogen buses – operated by First Bus.
The Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles across Europe (JIVE) seeks to deploy new zero emissions fuel cell buses and associated refuelling infrastructure across Europe. JIVE aims to pave the way to commercialisation by large scale deployment of vehicles and infrastructure so that by the end of the project fuel cell buses are commercially viable for bus operators to include in their fleets without subsidy, and that local and national governments feel empowered to regulate for zero emission propulsion for their public transport systems.
Aberdeen’s Hydrogen bus project will play a major role in reducing Aberdeen’s carbon footprint and progression towards Net Zero. The Hydrogen bus fleet is expected to save:
- 1kg of CO2 per KM
- 1.7kg of CO2 per mile
- 84 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, the equivalent of removing 38 petrol or diesel cars from the road.
- 1004 tonnes of CO” emissions over the life of the vehicle (12 years)
Project Website: JIVE - Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
FCCP – Interreg North West Europe
Aberdeen City Council Status: Partner
Project Aims: The aim of the project is to prove hydrogen fuel cells can play a role in reducing the emissions related to last mile delivery.
Funded by: European Regional Development Fund, Transport Scotland and Air Quality Action Plan
Deliverables: Six fuel cell pedelecs cargo bikes for last mile delivery
75% of Europeans live in cities and suffer from air and noise pollution and traffic jams. With an ever-increasing reliance on home deliveries these issues are worsening. The Fuel Cell Cargo Pedelecs (FCCP) project aims to utilise hydrogen fuel cell technology to create a zero-emission solution for last mile delivery. It is estimated that one fuel cell cargo pedelec (electric bicycle) can save 5.5 tonnes of Co2 per year by replacing combustion engine vehicles. The rider will be helped to propel their load with the assistance of the fuel cell, which refuels in minutes and is more durable and can outperform battery in sub-zero conditions.
Aberdeen has procured 6 bikes which will arrive in Summer 2023. These will be trialled by public, private and third sector organisations for approximately 12 months to demonstrate the technology.
Further information is available here: Twitter, LinkedIn
Project Website: Interreg North West Europe
