Manx Government joins hydrogen fuel trials

THE Department of Infrastructure of the Isle of Man Government announced today it is to take part in energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power’s Hydrogen On Site Trials (HOST).
 
A transportable high pressure refuelling unit (HFuel) has been built by ITM with support from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and launched last September.
 
The Department of Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining and developing much of the Isle of Man’s key infrastructure including the highways network, harbour and port facilities, planning and building control and the island’s key government buildings including the sea terminal, airport, energy from waste plant and animal waste processing plant.
 
Through its operations division, the department provides a direct labour organisation which carries out essential works to the infrastructure and also maintains a 24 hour emergency response capability for the island.
 
Keith Lowney, fleet transport manager for the Department of Infrastructure on the Isle of Man, said: “We welcome the opportunity to trial ITM’s hydrogen refuelling station for return to base operated vehicles.
 
“This is particularly appropriate given the geography of the island – 32 miles long by 10 miles at its widest – as this will be relevant to most of our infrastructure fleet. Of particular interest will be how as an island we can generate our own clean fuel from our ample sources of renewable energy.”
 
Graham Cooley, chief executive of Sheffield-based ITM Power, added: “We are thrilled that the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Infrastructure will be joining our HOST trials.
 
“This is an exceptional opportunity to test our energy storage clean fuel technology proposition for vehicle fleets operating in an island environment. Islands by their nature rely on imported fuel; our hydrogen trials will demonstrate how an island can produce its own clean fuel, offering a sustainable transport solution for the vital infrastructure logistics fleet.”