New hydrogen bus project now moving into manufacturing phase
Bramble Energy says the ‘Hydrogen Bus’ project it is working on has reached a crucial milestone.
The cleantech and hydrogen fuel-cell technology specialist is working on the Hydrogen Electric Integrated Drivetrain Initiative (HEIDI) in partnership with Equipmake, Aeristech and the University of Bath. The goal is to develop a first-of-its-kind hydrogen double-decker integrating Bramble Energy’s printed circuit board fuel-cell (PCBFC) technology.
One year after the £12.7m landmark project commenced, the consortium has completed the concept designs for the hydrogen system and double-decker bus and is now moving into the manufacturing phase.
The HEIDI project has successfully completed the concept designs for the fuel cell system, hydrogen storage and the bus itself. Bramble’s flexible fuel cell design has allowed the bus to maintain a capacity of 86 passengers, a standard similar to current London double-deckers, without compromising service for system installation. Bramble says early testing of the fuel cell stack shows promising results for power output at bus level. Simulations predict a range of up to 280 miles on UK bus routes using 350 bar hydrogen. This surpasses the typical daily distance of London buses (100-200 miles) and offers refuelling times similar to diesel or petrol alternatives (around 8 minutes).
“This new milestone for HEIDI brings us one step closer to revolutionising public transport with our innovative PCBFC technology” – Dr. Vidal Bharath, CCO at Bramble Energy
Dr. Vidal Bharath, CCO at Bramble Energy, said: “This new milestone for HEIDI brings us one step closer to revolutionising public transport with our innovative PCBFC technology providing a viable path to net-zero emissions for commercial vehicles.
“The ability to maintain passenger capacity whilst achieving significant range and rapid refuelling times showcases the practicality and scalability of our solution. By integrating our fuel cell stacks into the hydrogen double-deck bus, we are not only advancing sustainable transport but also supporting nearly 500 jobs and aiming to prevent nearly 6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next decade. Together with our partners, we are committed to delivering a sustainable, cost-effective, and zero-emission future – one that will benefit both the transport sector and its customers.”