The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has successfully completed a trial at several of its bases that generated hydrogen power to recharge electric cars and vans using rapid chargers.
As part of the pilot, it used zero-emission green hydrogen-powered generators (HPUs) from GeoPura at five key locations: RAF Leeming, HMNB Devonport, Merville Barracks Colchester, HMS Excellent Portsmouth and RAF Northolt.
The HPUs delivered a mix of AC and fast DC charging capabilities, operating at differing charging speeds to align with operational requirements.
Over the course of the trial, vehicles charged by the HPUs drove about 120,000 miles.
GeoPura said it is committed to furthering the use of hydrogen across defence sites and will use the findings from the trial to drive ongoing research and development.
This includes the development of smaller, more mobile hydrogen systems suited for shorter deployments, as well as larger, more power-dense systems to meet the diverse needs of MoD operations in the UK and abroad.
Air Vice-Marshal Rich Pratley, the MoD’s senior responsible owner for the project, said, “This trial has demonstrated the potential of hydrogen as a key enabler of our transition to zero-emissions energy, while also addressing the current challenges posed by our expanding electric vehicle fleet.”
Matt Barney, chief hydrogen business officer at GeoPura, said, “By harnessing the power of green hydrogen, our generators ensure rapid charging with zero harmful emissions, completely unrestricted by grid limitations.
“This not only facilitates the widespread adoption of EVs but also contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future for defence operations on a wider scale.”
