London South Bank University (LSBU) researches are launching a “world-first” study on a potential new way of storing hydrogen in buses, Kallanish learns from the British university.

The project aims to deliver safer, cleaner and cheaper hydrogen power by using hydride - a combination of metal and hydrogen atoms - in hydrogen fuel cells to end the large high-pressure cylinders that are currently used in buses. The study is backed by the government and has received a £60,000 ($71,000) funding grant under the Innovate UK programme.

“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce very low carbon emissions and no air pollution … But important concerns have been raised about the size, cost and safety of hydrogen storage in buses," LSBU says.

The test seeks to prove that storing hydrogen at lower pressures in smaller cylinders on buses will improve safety, as well as that power consumption will decrease as the new storage system could provide the bus with cooling power for air conditioning. The change in cylinders are also expected to result in more space on the vehicles.

LSBU will initially work with thermal management experts at Ricardo Plc on the design, and then, at a second stage, will develop a prototype of the new hydrogen storage. The university hasn’t provided an estimated timeframe for project’s conclusion.