SCOTLAND’S DEPUTY First Minister Nicol Stephen yesterday took the opportunity of trip to Fife to reveal the first six green energy projects that will receive funding amounting to over £1 million through the Renewable Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Support Scheme.

Mr Stephen, visiting St Andrews University, made the announcement about investment in new technology that will support Scotland’s drive to become the European powerhouse of clean, green energy.

Renewable hydrogen and fuel cell technology could play a key role in helping to tackle climate change and contribute towards economic growth as the industry expands, and during his visit Mr Stephen visited the St Andrews Centre for Advanced Materials and also St Andrews Fuel Cells Ltd—one of the beneficiaries of yesterday’s news.

The St Andrews Centre for Advanced Materials carries out research into energy conversion and storage, especially in hydrogen and fuel cells. St Andrews Fuel Cells Ltd was set up in 2005 to exploit an innovative new solid oxide fuel cell design, called ‘SOFCRoll’ which was developed through research at the Centre for Advanced Materials.

Its proposal for further research on a solid oxide fuel cell for use with biogas will now receive funding of £160,980. A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device similar to a battery, but it produces electricity from an external supply of fuel and oxygen as opposed to the limited internal energy storage capacity of a battery.

The minister said during his visit that last year he had announced £1.5 million to develop new technology for the energy industry, and he was now glad to confirm details of the initiatives.

“I am giving strong support for innovative companies like St Andrews Fuel Cells as we position Scotland to become the European powerhouse of clean, green energy.

“The Hydrogen Energy Group estimates that the sector has the potential to net £500 million for the Scottish economy and support 10,000 jobs.”

The other successful bidders are-

Western Isles Council H2 SEED—project will install an electrolyser in the Creed Waste Management facility to produce hydrogen from biogas. This will be used to power the facility and several hydrogen cars on the Isle of Lewis. Grant: £250,000.

TUV NEL—project will install a fuel cell and electrolyser at Myers Hill wind turbine test site, near East Kilbride, to demonstrate how hydrogen can be used to strengthen an area of constrained grid. The electrolyser will also provide hydrogen for a fuel cell bus at Whitelee wind farm visitor centre. Grant: £250,000.

Lews Castle College—will install an electrolyser in the college to create renewable hydrogen for their teaching laboratory. Grant: £55,000.

Berwickshire Housing Association—will install a micro renewable powered hydrogen fuel cell in a house in Ayton, Berwickshire to provide a constant supply of green energy. Grant: £222,640.

Sigen Power Tower—project will create a power management system to combine micro renewables and fuel cells in Aberdeen. Grant: £90,000.