Getting ahead of the curve: Advanced Propulsion Centre to publish fuel cell and hydrogen tank value chain map

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has identified where UK businesses can maximise the opportunities in the hydrogen transport economy and will be exclusively launching these value chain maps at the Road to COP26 webinar session on fuel cells on 26 October at 10.30am.

This latest APC insight will highlight opportunities for businesses not currently involved in the automotive supply chain to step into this arena. The maps aim to build greater strength in the fuel cell system supply chain and encourage both existing automotive and adjacent technology entrants.

Fuel cells and hydrogen propulsion systems are maturing at a rapid pace, addressing difficult-to-decarbonise vehicle segments such as heavy goods vehicles and public transport.

The UK has a strong foothold in critical elements of fuel cell stack and high-pressure tank production with the building blocks of a thriving supply chain, making it the perfect place for investments across these growing value chains to meet domestic and international demand.

Luke Bates, Automotive Analyst at the APC, explained:

The UK is a centre of excellence for fuel cell technology and, given the right support from private and public organisations, it is getting ahead of the curve to be pioneering in this zero-emission propulsion technology. We know the UK’s demand and key strengths in this technology, so we have worked alongside industry experts to develop two value stream maps to assist technology advancements, collaborations, and investments.

Road to COP26

 The webinar, on the role of fuel cells in net-zero transport emissions, is the finale of a series of events looking at different ways the automotive sector is collaborating, innovating, and investing to meet net-zero goals for transport.

It will explore how fuel cells can (and will) become an important route to decarbonisation for discerning and selecting the right zero-emission technology for manufacturers.

Featuring a keynote from Joanna Richart, Head of Hydrogen Business at Ricardo, plus an expert line-up of panellists including:

• • Andy Walker, Technical Marketing Director, Johnson Matthey
  • David Hart, Director, E4Tech
  • Gareth Hinds, NPL Fellow and Science Area Leader, NPL
  • Greg Harris, Automotive Sales Director, Intelligent Energy
  • David Thackray, Sales and Marketing Director, Tevva

These will be followed by Luke Bates, who will exclusively reveal the fuel cell value chain maps.

The value chain maps can be viewed alongside the Automotive Council Fuel Cells roadmap to 2040.

To find out more about demand forecasts for the UK, see the APC’s assessment on what impact hydrogen can have on accelerating zero-emissions transport and what key areas should be supported to scale up the value chain in the UK.

Fuel cell value stream: The fuel cell value map covers all critical steps required to manufacture membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) and complete assembly of fuel cell systems.

Hydrogen tank value stream: The on-board hydrogen tank value map provides the relevant carbon fibre production processes for large-scale tank manufacturing.