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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Hungerford, Berkshire, United Kingdom, 10/14/2009 - UPS Systems plc has today announced with the University of Glamorgan that they have reached the finals for ‘Environmental Technology’ at the awards because of their innovative fuel cell system at the Hydrogen Centre.
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The Hydrogen Centre was the brainchild of the University of Glamorgan and part of its vision to create a hydrogen economy in Wales. It was built to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen production from a range of indigenous renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, and evaluate the benefits of using hydrogen as an energy storage medium for these intermittent renewables.
Whilst the University planned and secured funding for the Centre, UPS Systems supplied and installed a 10kW hydrogen fuel cell along with inverters and a bespoke controller unit, to power parts of the Centre and its associated facilities.
The fuel cell installation at the Hydrogen Centre was the first of its kind in the UK, showcasing a process that uses stored green energy. It demonstrates the use of carbon-neutral energy for both stationary and transportation applications.
“The Hydrogen Centre deserves its place in the finals because it sets a precedent for future projects by demonstrating how fuel cell technology can reduce our dependence on oil and allow us to be independent of the National Grid. We have created a truly green energy source that will change the way we look at power generation,” said Tom Sperrey, Managing Director at UPS Systems.
Professor Alan Guwy of the University of Glamorgan commented, “It is fantastic to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award and to gain recognition for the Hydrogen Centre. The work undertaken at the Centre is truly innovative, bringing us one step closer to the reality of a hydrogen economy.”
Andrew Lee, Editor of The Engineer said: “The 2009 shortlist for The Engineer Technology & Innovation Awards is the strongest yet and we were delighted to receive high-quality entries such as the Hydrogen Centre. Along with the other finalists it demonstrates the fantastic collaborative work underway between the UK’s most innovative companies and its world-class universities. We wish UPS Systems and Glamorgan, and indeed all the shortlisted entrants, the best of luck in December.”
The Engineer Technology & Innovation Awards will announce the winners at The Royal Society in London on the 4th December 2009.
UPS Systems plc (upssystems.co.uk) is the UK’s largest independent supplier of standby power solutions. Through its independent position, allied to close working relationships with the world’s leading manufacturers, the company is uniquely able to offer impartial technical advice on the widest range of standby power solutions. An authority on fuel cell technology, UPS Systems implemented the UK’s first two hydrogen fuel cells providing AC standby power, and is currently working on projects where the technology will be used for the supply of backup or prime power to utilities, telecommunications, remote telemetry, portable signage and renewable energy applications.
The University of Glamorgan has built the Renewable Hydrogen Research and Development Centre to raise awareness about the various means of generating hydrogen from renewable resources and to demonstrate that the energy from hydrogen can be used in everyday situations. The Centre will provide a facility for research into various renewable hydrogen topics and aims:
• To produce high quality scientific research in sustainable environmental technologies;
• To advance knowledge and provide trained scientists and engineers to meet the needs of the industry;
• To enhance the standing of the University of Glamorgan both nationally and internationally.
Located at Baglan Energy Park, South Wales, the Renewable Hydrogen Research and Development Centre is part of a range of hydrogen energy research activities conducted by the University of Glamorgan’s Hydrogen Research Unit.
The Engineer Technology & Innovation Awards 2009 will recognise and reward outstanding examples of that co-operation. An expert panel of judges will assess the entries against the key criteria that will be used to draw up the short-list in each category. These will include: the degree of technical innovation involved in the entry; the value added to the entry through the collaboration between academic and commercial partners; the actual or potential impact of the entry on its market or end-users. Now in its third year, this prestigious awards scheme is run by The Engineer, the leading magazine and website for technology and innovation, in conjunction with main sponsor BAE Systems.
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