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Pioneering hydrogen fuel trial ready for Stansted take off

Pioneering new green fuel technology that could drive down emissions and power airport vehicles of the future will be unveiled at London Stansted this Spring.

Britain’s third busiest airport will be the first UK company to test a new hydrogen refuelling system (HFuel) and two specially adapted vehicles as part of ITM Power’s nationwide Hydrogen On Site Trials programme (HOST).

Dr Andy Jefferson, Stansted Airport’s head of health, safety and  environment, said:

 “Environmental management at London Stansted is critical to the sustainability of our business and is an issue that we take extremely seriously, so we’re delighted to be working with ITM Power and launch their ground-breaking Hydrogen On Site Trial project at the airport.

 “We are extremely proud of the fact that air quality levels at Stansted are lower than the limits set by the EU. It is by continually focusing on our environmental performance that we will be able to maintain and improve those levels further. The project with ITM is a key part of this strategy  and by working in partnership with them, we can evaluate whether hydrogen is a viable alternative fuel for airport vehicles.”

The HOST program provides each partner with a one week free trial of the HFuel system and two Transit vans. The results are expected to play a key role in demonstrating the potential and development of ITM Power’s hydrogen fuel technology.

Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, added:

“HOST will be the largest multi-sector trial of hydrogen refuelling for transport in the UK, involving 20 major partner organisations. Airports are perfect locations for trialling return to base hydrogen refuelling and we are delighted that London Stansted airport will be the location from which we launch the HOST program.”

Stansted’s testing programme will begin on March 7, with a special launch event taking place at the airport’s Hilton Hotel on the March 8. During the trial, hydrogen produced by the on-site HFuel system will power the two Ford Transit vans. These vehicles will form part of the airport’s fleet and will be assessed by staff under every-day driving conditions.

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

·     Photograph 1: Stansted’s head of health, safety and environment, Andy Jefferson (left), and ITM Power’s CEO Graham Cooley (right) are pictured next to a hydrogen powered vehicle. (See attached file: DSCF1919.JPG)

·     Photograph 2: ITM Power’s transportable refuelling unit and a hydrogen powered Ford Transit van. (See attached file: ITM Power refuelling - 1.jpg)

·     A HOST launch event will take place at Stansted on Tuesday, March 8. Businesses and media wishing to attend this ground-breaking event can register their interest by visiting http://www.itm-power.com/hostlaunch.php

·     Sheffield based company ITM Power designs and manufactures Hydrogen Energy Systems for Energy Storage and Clean Fuel production. For further information about ITM Power visit www.itm-power.com

·     In October last year, Stansted added the Carbon Trust Standard to its impressive environmental credentials thanks to the successful introduction of a wide range of energy saving initiatives.

      The airport is now the proud holder of three highly acclaimed

      accreditations; the Carbon Trust Standard, ISO14001 for environmental

      management and OHSAS18001 for health and safety systems. Stansted is

      the first BAA airport to achieve all three credentials.

      For further information about the Stansted’s environmental

      credentials visit: www.stanstedairport.com/corporateresponsibility

For further information contact Stansted Airport press office:

T: +44 (0)1279 680534

E: stanstedmediacentre@baa.com

W: stanstedairport.com