HS2 adopts hydrogen charging cell

23 November 2022

HS2 has introduced a mobile hydrogen fuel cell to charge battery powered machinery at a site in Euston. 

Dubbed the H-Power Tower and supplied by AFC Energy, the unit has been used by the Mace Dragados Joint Venture, the construction team building the new station, to charge an electric JCB telehandler, reducing noise and capacity requirements from mains power. The cell is also being used to charge lighting towers and a water pump on the site.

The hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms, which react across an electrochemical cell to produce electricity, with water and heat being the only by-products. 

HS2’s head of environmental sciences Andrea Davidson said: “Reducing the reliance on mains sources of power while still moving away from diesel generated power is critical for the UK’s low carbon future and trialling the use of hydrogen power to charge electric machines and for plant equipment as a whole will be a major step forward for the wider construction sector.”

Ben Wheeldon, programme director for Mace Dragados, added: “This is the second of three alternative-fuel cell generators we have brought to our Euston station site this year, making clear our commitment to supporting HS2 with its aspiration to help drive a low carbon future in the UK.”  

HS2 is also collaborating with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to develop a Zero Diesel Site route map. The plan is currently out for consultation until 3 December and the industry has been invited to provide feedback.