News >>> UK fuel cell pioneer plans for growth with expanded site
Posted on September 5, 2018 by adelan_admin
Posted 5 Sep 2018
Micro-tubular SOFC technology was first developed by the Adelan team more than 30 years ago. Now, increasing commercial uptake of fuel cell technology in regions such as China and Europe has prompted the move to a larger site as the company builds on its capabilities ahead of a widely forecast leap in their application and use.
First founded in the UK’s West Midlands, Adelan’s new offices are at the Weekin Works in Birmingham, where the company is proud to continue to foster and develop the city’s long legacy of home grown engineering talent and ground-breaking technological discoveries.
Adelan’s patented and scalable technology gives the fuel cell unprecedented flexibility, allowing the system to run on a range of commonly available fuels such as LPG, natural gas or propane/butane mix as well as hydrogen. It achieves this without the need for the complex and costly reforming technology required in many other types of fuel cell technology if they are to run on fuels other than hydrogen. As a result, though Adelan fuel cells can also run on hydrogen, they additionally offer considerable operational flexibility and ease of use benefits whilst retaining a small, compact and lightweight foot print.
Commenting on the move to the new site, Adelan CEO, Dr Michaela Kendall, said: “Growing awareness of vital public health issues such as climate change and urban air quality are spurring renewed interest in environmentally-friendly alternatives to current energy production methods. The inherent benefits of micro-tubular SOFC technology mean that clean, safe and quiet energy is now reliably available for use across a vast array of stand-alone, remote or mobile applications. From battery vehicle range extenders through to resilient UPS systems and heat and power for remote and off-grid sites, fuel cell technology developed right here in Birmingham offers a solution to a host of worldwide challenges. By expanding to larger premises now, Adelan hopes to capitalise on a very real opportunity for the UK and Birmingham to become world leaders in a huge global market for fuel cell technology.”
Discover more about how Adelan can support your future energy ambitions and meet your requirements for clean, quiet and reliable energy for remote, mobile or any other applications.
Blog > The Midlands can still lead Mission Innovation to clear the atmosphere
Posted on July 14, 2018 by adelan_admin
Posted 14 Jul 2018
In fact, the health implications of air pollution from burning fossil fuels have been well understood for many decades. Air pollution complaints in London go back centuries for example – it is not for nothing we call London The Smoke. Following the Clean Air Acts of the 1950s and 60s smoky fires for heating homes were gradually relegated to power stations away from cities, mostly decoupling urbanite populations from smoke – but vehicles quietly brought people and combustion emissions back together again. As UK vehicle numbers have inexorably risen they have gradually contributed more and more to urban air pollution, becoming the biggest polluter of UK city air.
Normalising Human Exposures to Air Pollution
We have all been exposed to vehicle pollution in cities during our lives, and the highest concentrations are often inside the vehicles themselves. Indeed the difficulty for scientists in early studies was identifying a control group: Very few people on the planet are not directly exposed to vehicle exhaust, or smoke of some kind, so we still do not really know what happens to people when they are not exposed to a lifetime of combustion generated pollution. Linking environmental pollutant exposures to disease is actually notoriously difficult to do, but small airborne particles and other pollutants from vehicle exhaust have been linked for decades to premature death, precisely because they are everywhere. A seminal US air pollution study by Harvard published in 1993 and thousands of copy-cat studies across the globe show surprisingly consistent results. A real shock has been that once you remove the bulk of air pollution from open fires as we have done in the UK and US, the health effects of much lower smoke levels are still measurable, and extremely costly. That is why once the VW fraud was discovered (again, by USA scientists), it was quickly prosecuted in the USA. The long-term bill for trying to cheat air quality regulation will be huge and may bankrupt companies. The effects and costs of this air pollution are well established for decades, and legally absolutely robust.
The evidence has been crystal clear. The solution; not so much. It turns out that for many people the idea of living without cars – as was once imagined in the 1990s – is virtually impossible and car ownership continues to grow worldwide. So where are the low-carbon, low emission transport solutions? One emerging technology comes from batteries. But people are so used to their vehicles and the range and performance of internal combustion engines that only vehicles with a comparable range and refuel rate to their current car model are going to be an acceptable replacement. This is a technical challenge that is currently out of reach for battery systems, despite clear urban air advantages of battery vehicles.
Fuel Cell Solutions
Another option for zero emission cars and buses is hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. Despite the emergence of new, clean hydrogen technologies decades ago, there is still reluctance in the UK to develop and deploy fuel cell technology. Commercial models are now on the market. Fuel cell vehicles can be refuelled within three minutes for a range of hundreds of miles per tank, comparable to current conventional vehicles. Such advantages suggest fuel cell technologies running on hydrogen could be adopted by the transport sector, despite a lack of refuelling infrastructure in 2017. So what hope for hydrogen-powered vehicles solving air pollution in Birmingham? And what can Britain do to support fuel cell technology to clean urban air?
Three fuel cell companies spun out from UK universities way back in the 1990s to great excitement around the world – Intelligent Energy, Ceres Power and Adelan flew the flag for UK innovation in fuel cell technology, and several other UK companies have emerged since, such as Arcola and AFC, and ITM in hydrogen generation. Intelligent Energy, Ceres Power and Adelan have been resilient over 20 years, building global profiles and partnering with international agencies and companies, proving their global impact. They have realised value in very different ways, offering unique technologies, in a wide range of different products. These companies all develop fuel cells for use on-board vehicles, but their fuel cells can also displace other combustion emissions that would otherwise occur in city centres, such as from gas boilers in homes for example. Fuel cells developed in the UK and beyond can be deployed to improve air quality today. It is possible, and with effort impacts could be faster and wider. Fuel cell technologies are being deployed or developed in Birmingham today to address urban air pollution, but more needs to be done to support commercialisation of these UK technologies before they disappear overseas. China in particular is hungry for disruptive clean energy technologies, and so the likelihood is that fuel cells will be nurtured there. Opportunities exist for the UK to lead the world in fuel cell technology and with it an end to urban air pollution and its devastating impacts on human health. Brexit may provide an opportunity for the UK to do just that.
Adelan has successfully demonstrated SOFC’s potential by powering auxiliary power on a very light rail (VLR) vehicle in the Black Country, reducing operating costs through fuel efficiency and slashing carbon emissions
The collaboration between Adelan and the UK Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) aims to scale up production in the UK. This partnership will increase UK manufacturing capacity to enhance the UK electric vehicle supply chain
Following the Invest West Midlands case study, Adelan’s innovative microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (mSOFCs) have been highlighted for their ability to use conventional fuels like propane and biomethane.
Hydrogen fuel cells are key to a low-carbon energy future, but face challenges in production, infrastructure, and costs. Adelan’s microtubular SOFCs provide an immediate solution by using readily available fuels like propane and biomethane, supporting the hydrogen economy transition.
Pioneering mobile fuel cell applications, Adelan scores another win with its proven SOFC technology, with a project with construction giant Speedy Hire. A hybridised system powered by fuel cells could spell the answer to decarbonising mobile construction lifts.
The UK Mission Innovation Hydrogen Champion proposes 3 simple steps to build a UK green hydrogen ecosystem: 1) National strategy, 2) Regional clustering, 3) Democratise tech funding
For COP27 Decarbonisation Day, we talk green technology solutions. With the support of public and private investment, UK green technology firms can compete beyond the UK.
Adelan technology is powering the next generation of construction vehicles in a partnership with Calor and construction equipment OEMs and hire giants.
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The Midlands Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Network grows the regional hydrogen economy, by connecting businesses and organisations on the ground across the region.
As the historic UK Hydrogen Strategy arrives this week, hydrogen cars are made available for lease from Adelan, to anyone trying to decarbonise their travel at work or play.
With Birmingham’s clean air zone (CAZ) live today, Adelan zero emission fuel cell vehicles offer the opportunity to go one step further and scrub the air cleaner as they drive.
High profile roles on key business and technology bodies mean Adelan is driving the levelling-up agenda to recognise technical leadership in The Midlands for a green recovery, with a focus on hydrogen innovation.
In order to replace diesel generators in clean air zones, Calor is providing BioLPG to Adelan fuel cell trials today to achieve the same carbon reductions as future fuels like hydrogen.
As a UK Government programme roadmaps the decarbonisation of industry clusters in The Midlands, fuel cells and hydrogen are set to feature in line with the UK Ten Point Plan.
The worldwide lockdown revealed the true extent of global air pollution for the first time. Despite the economic chaos, it provides huge impetus to tackle a global health challenge.
Adelan’s Dr Michaela Kendall is to chair the low-carbon steering group set to boost green recovery in the Midlands by implementing an environmental technologies action plan.
Delivered in collaboration with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, discover how fuel cells and hydrogen will support the Green Recovery in the Midlands.
Adelan chief executive Dr Michaela Kendall has been named as one of twenty-one Mission Innovation Champions around the world in recognition of her role in the clean energy transition.
Changes to taxes on diesel are expected to drive home the economic case for fuel cells in the construction sector. Add in that fuel cells are clean, quiet and efficient and the business case is compelling.
Adelan and BCU team up to support new green technology businesses to grow in Birmingham, targeting local problems like climate change and air pollution.
A solar/battery/fuel cell hybrid energy system is using Adelan mSOFC technology to power up Chinese homes, with the potential of delivering round-the-clock clean power and heat.
Hydrogen ready fuel cells can be used to almost eliminate carbon emissions from portable and remote power generation on building sites during the construction phase of HS2, even using hydrocarbons.
New analysis confirms that Adelan fuel cells offer considerable savings for mega construction projects like the UK’s HS2 rail project. With benefits across greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, noise pollution and even operational costs, Adelan’s mSOFCs are a game changer for large infrastructure projects.
Fuel cell pioneers Adelan led a cleantech brainstorming event recently in a bid to solve some of society’s biggest challenges. Spearheading the event at STEAMHouse, Birmingham’s leading business incubator, their conclusions were disturbingly simple: Back local low carbon innovators.
Technology pioneers Adelan are headlining Birmingham’s Greentech event next month as the city showcases the world’s best clean technology at its premier sustainability show.
Maverick billionaire Elon Musk may not be betting on fuel cells for the future, but given that the majority of his peers are it looks like this visionary will ultimately be on the wrong side of history.
Birmingham Mayor Andy Street is backing technologies like Adelan fuel cells to solve the crisis of urban air pollution and the climate change challenge.
In a two-day programme packed with fuel cell content, All-Energy 2019 explored the national opportunities to start decarbonising today, with commercialisation of fuel cells in the Midlands outlined by Adelan CEO Dr Michaela Kendall.
The spectacular success of today’s battery technologies has prompted a significant shift towards enabling technologies, in particular hydrogen and fuel cells for electric vehicle range extenders and air con APUs.
Standing room only as leading fuel cell and hydrogen industry players gathered at Birmingham’s NEC recently to build on the UK’s national hydrogen and fuel cell development strategy.
Adelan is the longest running fuel cell company in Britain and is the only fuel cell company in Birmingham. As Chair of the Midlands Hydrogen and Fuel cell Network, the Adelan CEO Michaela Kendall describes how fuel cells are being developed in the region and discusses Adelan’s manufacturing plans for future sustainable growth.
Telegraph Cars puts the cutting-edge Hyundai Nexo to the sternest test so far of the technology that supplies electricity without the need for heavy battery packs – at the same time, following in the wheel tracks of the earliest pioneering motorists to prove its feasibility.
Adelan Ltd, the UK’s oldest fuel cell company, has completed a successful trade mission to China. Meeting with high-level decision-makers from two Chinese provinces earlier this month, Adelan chief executive officer Dr Michaela Kendall garnered commercial interest in their patented fuel cells from some of the world’s largest technology players.
Reflecting exciting market developments, Adelan Ltd – the UK’s oldest fuel cell firm – has relocated to larger premises. Pioneers of microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, Adelan is rapidly expanding to accommodate anticipated growth in demand for its clean, quiet and robust fuel cell designs.
Professor Michaela Kendall discusses how the use of fuel cells and hydrogen can change the atmosphere. She also highlights the founding of the Midlands Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network, a commercially-led, inclusive interest group which aims to consolidate the strengths of the hydrogen and fuel cell sector in the region.
Since the VW emissions scandal broke, air pollution in cities has remained a top public health concern. With such stories rarely out of the news, you could be forgiven for thinking that something has recently emerged from medical science illustrating the dangers of combustion-generated air pollution to human health.
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