Fuel cell pioneer joins LEP board
AMANDA Lyne, a co-founder of pioneering energy firm ACAL, has joined the board of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Runcorn-based ACAL, set up by Ms Lyne and Dr Andrew Creeth in 2004, has developed a way of making fuel cells which uses 80% less platinum than the conventional method.
Fuel cells are similar to batteries but instead of storing energy they create it from an external source, often hydrogen and oxygen. The use of platinum in existing designs makes them too expensive for mass market production. ACAL’s cheaper technology could help make hydrogen fuel cell cars a mass-market reality.
Ms Lyne said: “The LEP has identified the low carbon economy as a key growth sector with the potential to create jobs and economic growth across the City Region. The significance and importance of the sector is now widely recognised and understood.
“But much still remains to be done if we are to realise its full potential for the city region in terms of attracting investment, creating jobs and driving further growth.”
LEP chairman Robert Hough said: “The low carbon economy is one of enormous importance to Liverpool City Region and is a key sector for growth. Amanda has championed this in her role as chair of the LEP’s Low Carbon Committee for more than two years and her appointment to this additional role provides the Board with an invaluable combination of expertise and experience in wider LEP business.”
