Loading...

News >>>Adelan teams up with BCU to launch Birmingham fuel cell incubator

Posted  March 1 2020

Birmingham’s Millennium Point is the site of a new space dedicated to greentech business development and networking. Local fuel cell technology pioneers Adelan teamed up with Birmingham City University’s (BCU) STEAMhouse to provide the space, which will also house the Midlands Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network, an organisation dedicated to commercialising fuel cell technology.

Located at the heart of Birmingham city centre, the Millennium Point location will support students, graduates and local creative and digital entrepreneurs who wish to start and grow a business.

STEAM blends Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and Arts graduates and makers to generate new high growth businesses in the city.  In the fuel cells and hydrogen sector, this creates new products, applications, digital platforms, data services and marketing approaches which can support local businesses and policy makers to understand the benefits of these technologies. Offering high quality and flexible business support, including workshops, high profile events, one to one mentoring and coaching, entrepreneur in residence, legal, accounting, finance issues and much more, the STEAMincubator offers specially designed spaces to prototype new products and develop new ideas including a fabrication facility at STEAMhouse.

Commenting on the development, Adelan CEO Dr Michaela Kendall, said: “We are delighted to be working with BCU as they build the STEAM pipeline to support the inventive ideas being generated every day in Birmingham. These ideas are being captured by BCU in a unique way, so that artists and technologists can create new and successful businesses together.  Ideally, our fuel cells will be designed and made in Birmingham, and we rely on digital platforms to enable wide deployment.  This will create the positive environmental impacts we know fuel cells can deliver for the whole of Birmingham and beyond”.

To access the STEAMincubator and learn more about the services it can offer local entrepreneurs, please visit: https://adelan.co.uk/

Adelan Fuel Cell Technology

To discover more about how Adelan can support your future energy ambitions or to meet your requirements for clean, quiet and reliable energy for remote, mobile or any other applications, please contact Dr Kendall and the rest of the Adelan team at:

Adelan Ltd, 15 Weekin Works, 112-116 Park Hill Road, Birmingham, B17 9HD (UK)

Tel: +44 (0)121 427 8033

About Adelan

First founded in The Midlands, Birmingham-based Adelan pioneered microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology more than 30 years ago. Adelan’s patented and scalable technology gives the fuel cell unprecedented flexibility, allowing the system to run cleanly on a range of commonly available fuels such as LPG, natural gas or propane/butane mix. As a result, though Adelan fuel cells can also run on hydrogen, they offer considerable additional operational flexibility and ease of use benefits whilst retaining a small, compact and lightweight footprint.

 

 

Blog > Adelan helps HS2 to go low carbon using fuel cells

Posted 21 February 2020

A pioneering energy trial has seen silent and emissions-free power keep engineers going on dark winter nights as they build the massive HS2 rail infrastructure project. While construction workers are busy laying tracks their on-site power needs can be met through advanced fuel cell technology developed in the middle of the UK, at Birmingham.

Enabling battery technology by reducing maintenance costs from charging and replacement, the key advantage of fuel cells is the ability to generate off-grid power cleanly from commonly available infrastructure fuels such as methane and propane (LPG), while also being able to run on hydrogen. When operating on hydrogen, the technology is zero emission and almost silent operation.  This is an advantage for indoor work and meets the considerate construction agenda most construction firms now seek to follow.

Birmingham-based company Adelan have launched the innovative project after more than three decades of technical development of the unique and patented fuel cell technology.  This historic project puts fuel cells to work on the HS2 programme – the biggest infrastructure project in Europe – for the first time.  The purpose of the project was to identify where HS2 could deploy fuel cells to reduce costs and carbon emissions in the UK, where many City Councils have announced a “climate emergency”.

Mo Yazdani, the young fuel cell engineer behind building the system said “The Adelan system will help construction to address the noise and pollution produced by diesel generators.”

The Adelan fuel cells will be sited around HS2 construction sites, and compared with other fuel cell technologies being tested, solar panels and batteries, plus diesel generator sets.  One of the key advantages is that there are virtually no maintenance requirements, beyond an annual service, and has lower lifecycle costs than a diesel generator.

Dr Michaela Kendall, Adelan CEO, commented: “The unique Adelan fuel cell unit is fuelled by LPG, and hydrogen ready, offering customers a fuel flexible way to achieve net zero carbon emissions, and practice considerate construction using silent generators. That makes them ideal candidates to supply the needs of the construction industry and sectors like rail infrastructure. We are delighted to be scaling up our technology production and exploring these new markets for British technology with HS2.”

The company has been working on fuel cell powered products, with global corporations and OEMs, since 1996 and is the oldest fuel cell company in Britain. Not only was the core technology developed and built in The Midlands, the HS2 project is building on the technical skills and supply chains based in the region. Yazdani says, “It is exciting to be part of the scale up of fuel cell technology, especially working with local companies to solve local problems”.

Adelan Fuel Cell Technology

To discover more about how Adelan can support your future energy ambitions or to meet your requirements for clean, quiet and reliable energy for remote, mobile or any other applications, please contact Dr Kendall and the rest of the Adelan team at:

Adelan Ltd, 15 Weekin Works, 112-116 Park Hill Road, Birmingham, B17 9HD (UK)

Tel: +44 (0)121 427 8033

Alternatively, visit us at: www.Adelan.co.uk

About Adelan

First founded in The Midlands, Birmingham-based Adelan pioneered microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology more than 30 years’ ago. Adelan’s patented and scalable technology gives the fuel cell unprecedented flexibility, allowing the system to run cleanly on a range of commonly available fuels such as LPG, natural gas or propane/butane mix. As a result, though Adelan fuel cells can also run on hydrogen, they offer considerable additional operational flexibility and ease of use benefits whilst retaining a small, compact and lightweight footprint. Adelan staff founded and built up the University of Birmingham Fuel Cells Centre, and now aim to commercialise UK fuel cell technology through the Fuel Cell Incubator, with a first event in October 2019.

 

Blog > A simple clean air, low-carbon energy hack

Posted 5 Nov 2019

With the global cleantech sector expected to engage $60 trillion of investments in order to help the world achieve its 2050 carbon targets, why it is that home grown UK cleantech often fails to reach even local markets?

Certainly there is no shortage of commercial opportunity in Birmingham – with the clean air zone, the forthcoming Commonwealth games and HS2 all on the doorstep.  Cleantech firms like fuel cell innovators Adelan should be thriving. But the reality is that home-grown pioneers are not supported to achieve their commercial potential in the UK, due to market bottlenecks and a top-down approach.

This is not because UK companies are sub-standard or their technology innovations do not support vitally important global objectives.

In fact, one of the key reasons is that long-established energy sectors like fossil fuels and nuclear power continue to receive government subsidy, while UK-developed cleantech does not.  Giving this subsidy to fossil energy is supposed to keep people and goods moving, keep energy for businesses competitive and keep the lights on, but that’s not true.  It penalises breakthrough technologies by making them appear more expensive, and slows them from reaching UK markets.

It is clear that to combat climate change more needs to be done to realign market structures. What support is available to help build up clean energy businesses has not generated the right results. In the UK the structures that bind the publicly-funded networks and supporting bodies that do exist mean that only a fraction of any headline public investments reach disruptive innovators themselves. UK growth investment to grow these businesses is needed immediately if they are to reach the necessary scale required.

Dramatic change is possible. Germany alone, for example, recently pledged some $60 million of investment to get back on track with its national climate targets. But Germany’s finance initiative also comes with a series of practical measures designed to target society’s worst carbon excesses. Higher taxes on cars and air travel, cheaper rail tickets, bans on new oil heaters by 2026 and higher carbon prices all feature in this comprehensive programme. Cleaner alternatives are funded to replace them, and ground-up programmes develop promising cleantech until it reaches the market and can commercialise.

In China, and throughout Asia, subsidies play an important role in encouraging businesses to develop cleantech and that structure is yielding results. New analysis from research firm Global Data indicates that China is by far the leader when it comes to rolling out its electric vehicle fleet. It’s way ahead of Europe.

Certainly there are mechanisms by which local market demand could be better connected to local low-carbon and clean energy technology entrepreneurs and businesses.

Green businesses must be more accurately defined and mapped by existing business networks – a business is not just green because it self-defines as eco or green. There are radical businesses that will lead the way towards a new green economy, there are migratory businesses that will adopt and move towards sustainable action, and there are businesses that will fail because they are based on an unsustainable model. The UK has a very poor record in commercialising green tech.

Green and low-carbon leaders must also be supported to create real change. They must be encouraged to share successful case studies. Trials of new technologies developed locally must parallel imported technology programmes – for example, almost all fuel cell and hydrogen technology projects in the UK rely on imported fuel cells. This restricts the skills and talent pipelines in the UK and undermines local cleantech businesses.

To support positive change, the vast public procurement that goes on within the region can be harnessed to rely more on local businesses in sectors that support the local green growth agenda. There are significant existing opportunities to roll out clean technology in the region, but these are currently overlooked and missed.

Such a strategy would accelerate the growth of existing local green and cleantech businesses. Simultaneously it would help to harness resident intellectual capital by allowing universities to support local networks and work with smaller businesses instead of actively courting large corporate entities for vital R&D funding.

There is no time for business as usual. The story of Boulton and Watt provides some important historical context. They succeeded – the backer, the team, the technology and the innovative business model – based on coal efficiency savings. Reduced fossil fuel use is even more urgent today.

Here in Birmingham there is plenty of new funding to explore what should be done, but few schemes directly funding the innovators and businesses that can achieve the necessary change. One highlight is a new West Midlands initiative that Birmingham City Council has launched to engage local cleantech solutions like Adelan fuel cells in defining the Route to Zero Carbon (R20).

Key to solving the city’s climate and clean air challenges will be identifying new funding to resource the innovators and the technologies developed in the city, for the city. Better engagement between local policymakers, businesses and technologists will surely make all the difference. But funding those new relationships – not providing money to fossil energy – must be the priority.

 

Adelan Fuel Cell Technology

About Adelan

First founded in The Midlands, Birmingham-based Adelan pioneered microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology more than 30 years’ ago. 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 a result, though Adelan fuel cells can also run on hydrogen, they offer considerable additional operational flexibility and ease of use benefits whilst retaining a small, compact and lightweight foot print.

To discover more about how Adelan can support your future energy ambitions or to meet your requirements for clean, quiet and reliable energy for remote, mobile or any other applications, please contact Dr Kendall and the rest of the Adelan team at:

Adelan Ltd, 15 Weekin Works, 112-116 Park Hill Road, Birmingham, B17 9HD (UK)

Tel: +44 (0)121 427 8033

 


View our Timeline
  • Founded Adelan and made first Zirconia microtubes

  • Built first large demonstrator

  • First sales of demonstrators

  • First large commercial project; lab in Birmingham

  • First small demonstrator

  • The first sale of 250W system and UAV demonstrator

  • Portable Power Pack for camper van demonstrator

    Adelan microtubular solid oxide fuel cell battery range extender

  • Portable Power Pack for LNG truck demonstrator

  • Mobile and nano chargers

  • mCHP demonstrator

View opportunities at Adelan

Our Media

Adelan moves on fuel cell mobility

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.

Read More
Adelan CEO calls for the first UK Hydrogen Technology Strategy

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

Read More
Hydrogen pioneers Adelan awarded Green Cross Energy Transition Award

UK Hydrogen champion Adelan has received the Green Cross award for generating innovative solutions for the climate emergency

Read More
Green technology to support decarbonisation goals #GoOffGrid

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

Read More
News >>> Calor partners with Adelan to support construction vehicles

Calor has partnered with Adelan, a global developer of mSOFC technology, to help pave the way for low-carbon construction vehicles.

Read More
News >>> Adelan going for gold on future transport

With the Commonwealth Games underway in Birmingham this month, Adelan explores future of mobility in the region

Read More
News >>> Adelan taking the heavy out of HGVs

Adelan maps the hydrogen-fuelled HGV supply chains, and finds the majority close to home.

Read More
News >>> Enabling UK EV supply chains using hydrogen technology

An Adelan-led feasibility study will verify the key role the Midlands vehicular supply chain can play in achieving net-zero by utilising fuel cells.

Read More
News >>> Construction goes net zero with Adelan hydrogen technology

Adelan technology is powering the next generation of construction vehicles in a partnership with Calor and construction equipment OEMs and hire giants.
.

Read More
News >>> Adelan goes global: Making sense of fuel cells for NZ

Fuel cell company Adelan talks to Genesis Energy about the breakthrough hydrogen economy and the future of fuel cells in New Zealand.

Read More
News >>> Include, Invest, Change #IWD2022

Today, 8th March 2022, is International Women’s Day #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias. Thank you Thea Regan and good luck in your writing career.

Read More
News >>> Midlands Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Network

The Midlands Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Network grows the regional hydrogen economy, by connecting businesses and organisations on the ground across the region.

Read More
News >>> Adelan featured in Birmingham Business Magazine

Adelan has been featured in the November/December 2021 issue of Birmingham Business Magazine.

Read More
News >>> Adelan sync fuel cell tech supply-demand in The Midlands, UK

Adelan paves the way for hydrogen trucks in The Midlands with a newly funded Department for Transport project.

Read More
News >>> Adelan H2 car lease exceeds driver expectations

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.

Read More
News>>>Adelan drives hydrogen fuel demand in the Midlands with Toyota Mirai lease

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.

Read More
News >>> Adelan drives hydrogen technologies onto the levelling-up agenda

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.

Read More
News >>> Calor supports Adelan technology for low carbon off-grid power generation

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.

Read More
News >>> Celebrating 25 years as a world class hydrogen economy pioneer, from the UK

Adelan, the UK’s oldest fuel cell firm, is celebrating 25 years championing a clean energy technology that is set to transform lives for the better.

Read More
News >>> UK Research and Innovation funding for Midlands energy transition

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.

Read More
BLOG > COVID-19 and the green recovery: The clean air connection

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.

Read More
News >>> Adelan CEO heads up green growth strategy group

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.

Read More
Event >> COVID-19: The Midlands Green Recovery

Delivered in collaboration with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, discover how fuel cells and hydrogen will support the Green Recovery in the Midlands.

Read More
News >>> Adelan CEO is Mission Innovation Hydrogen Champion for UK

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.

Read More
News >>> Powering Birmingham’s future: Adelan demonstrates green growth in low carbon sector

Low carbon technology business Adelan is featured in Birmingham Chamber of Commerce magazine Chamberlink.

Read More
News >>> Adelan CEO appears in Leaders Council Podcast

Michaela Kendall from Adelan appears in Leaders Council podcast alongside Geoff Hurst.

Read More
News >>> Fuel duty change boosts fuel cell business case compared to diesel

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.

Read More
News >>>Adelan CEO celebrated with leading female entrepreneur award

Fuel cell pioneer Dr Michaela Kendall has been honoured on International Women’s Day with recognition as a leading female entrepreneur.

Read More
News >>>Adelan teams up with BCU to launch Birmingham fuel cell incubator

Adelan and BCU team up to support new green technology businesses to grow in Birmingham, targeting local problems like climate change and air pollution.

Read More
News >>>Adelan fuel cells extend solar energy storage capacity in Chinese homes

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.

Read More
Blog > Adelan helps HS2 to go low carbon using fuel cells

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.

Read More
News >>> HS2 makes cost savings using Adelan fuel cell tech

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.

Read More
Blog > Adelan Fuel Cells featured in Unmanned Systems Technology Magazine

It’s all in the tubes. A unique take on the solid oxide fuel cell holds great promise for fixed-wing UAVs.

Read More
Blog > A simple clean air, low-carbon energy hack

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.

Read More
Event >> Adelan front and centre of Birmingham clean-tech revolution

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.

Read More
Blog > Billionaires backing fuel cells

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.

Read More
Event >> Cleaning up urban air with fuel cells

Birmingham Mayor Andy Street is backing technologies like Adelan fuel cells to solve the crisis of urban air pollution and the climate change challenge.

Read More
News >>> All Energy goes heavy on fuel cells to decarbonise UK

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.

Read More
Blog > China stimulates fuel cell and hydrogen economies

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.

Read More
Event >> UK fuel cell industry builds national strategy

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.

Read More
Blog > Adelan CEO on the importance of fuel cell technology in Birmingham

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.

Read More
News >>> The Telegraph’s Andrew English road tests a hydrogen car over 1,000 miles

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.

Read More
Event >> Adelan completes successful fuel cell trade mission to China

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.

Read More
News >>> UK fuel cell pioneer plans for growth with expanded site

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.

Read More
Event >> How fuel cells and hydrogen change the atmosphere

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.

Read More
Blog > The Midlands can still lead Mission Innovation to clear the atmosphere

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.

Read More

Our Videos

Enquiry Form

Telephone

Address

Email