HEIDI, a UK-based consortium working on a new hydrogen-powered bus, has announced that it has reached a significant milestone, with the design phase of the project now complete.
The goal of the consortium, which is made up of Bramble Energy, Equipmake, Aeristech and the University of Bath, is to develop a first-of-its-kind hydrogen double-decker bus that uses Bramble Energy’s low-cost printed circuit board fuel cell (PCBFC) technology. The £12.7million Hydrogen Electric Integrated Drivetrain Initiative (HEIDI) project is expected to reduce annual transport-related CO2 emissions by some six million tonnes.
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A year after the project commenced, the consortium has completed the concept designs for the hydrogen system and double-decker bus and is now moving into the manufacturing phase.
The project has now completed the concept designs for the fuel cell system, hydrogen storage and the bus itself. Bramble’s flexible fuel cell design has allowed the bus to maintain a capacity of 86 passengers, a standard similar to current London double-deckers, without compromising service for system installation.
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According to the consortium, early testing of the fuel cell stack has shown promising results for power output at bus level, paving the way for a clean and efficient power source. Simulations predict that the bus will have a range of up to 450 kilometres on UK bus routes using 350 bar of hydrogen. This surpasses the typical daily distance travelled by London buses and offers a similar refuelling time to diesel or petrol alternatives of around eight minutes.
The next phase of HEIDI involves the manufacturing of key components, including the fuel cell stack, fuel cell system and hydrogen storage.
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‘This new milestone for HEIDI brings us one step closer to revolutionising public transport, with our innovative PCBFC technology providing a viable path to net-zero emissions for commercial vehicles,’ said Vidal Bharath, CCO at Bramble Energy. ‘The ability to maintain passenger capacity while achieving significant range and rapid refuelling times showcases the practicality and scalability of our solution. By integrating our fuel cell stacks into the hydrogen double-deck bus, we are not only advancing sustainable transport but also supporting nearly 500 jobs and aiming to prevent nearly six million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next decade. Together with our partners, we are committed to delivering a sustainable, cost-effective and zero-emission future – one that will benefit both the transport sector and its customers.’