Dutch giant turns to Sheffield firm for zero carbon technology
Mittwoch, 28 April 2010
Energy storage and clean fuel firm ITM Power has signed a deal with a Dutch construction and infrastructure development company to supply its hydrogen energy systems.
Sheffield-based ITM will contribute its design and technology expertise to the Autarc, an autonmous floating office, for Ballast Nedam Sustainablity Services - part of the Ballast Nedam Group.
According to Dr Graham Cooley, chief executive of ITM Power, the agreement provides the firm with an “excellent opportunity” to showcase its energy storage and clean fuel technology in an ‘off-grid’ situation.
The Autarc will be sited at various locations around the world to demonstrate the virtues of a green office or green home environment based on hydrogen technology. ITM Power and Ballast Nedam will in addition be addressing the application of zero-carbon sustainable domestic buildings within the Benelux group of countries.
The Autarc is an architecturally advanced houseboat/floating office that is 100% self-sustaining in both its water and electrical requirements. It aims to prove that living and working on the water in style and comfort is possible even without being connected to external water, electricity and sewage systems.
Yorkshire is at the cutting edge of the UK's clean technologies sector. The sector employs 14,000 people in 500 companies. Between them, they generate sales of more than £2bn and help the region play a major role in emerging domestic markets worth an estimated £18bn by 2010.
Meeting the region’s national targets for renewables is expected to stimulate up to £20bn of new investment. The largest sub-sector is waste management, followed by environmental consultancy, then water and waste-water treatment.
Yorkshire Forward is the only one of England’s nine regional development agencies to have committed to a target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2016.
Dr Cooley said: "Ballast Nedam is a major player in infrastructure and construction projects in the Netherlands and we look forward to providing expertise to add value to the sustainable proposition of their projects."
Mr Ron Von Wilk, director of Ballast Nedam Sustainability Services, said: "We are very pleased to be working with ITM Power and its unique energy storage, clean fuel technology that enables renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind to be used for power, heating or cooking using green hydrogen, whenever needed.”
He added: "ITM's technology, combined with Ballast Nedam's building design and construction expertise in deploying state of the art energy conservation methods, is just what is needed in order to enable buildings to become zero carbon for energy.
“We believe the Autarc project will mark the beginning of a very rewarding partnership for both companies in delivering sustainable, zero carbon building solutions."