Wales & West Utilities (WWU) is launching an innovative project to explore how zero-emission technologies could replace fossil fuels in powering mobile equipment such as compressors, generators, and welfare units, used extensively in all gas mains replacement work and major infrastructure projects.
The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Operating Hub project supports WWU’s wider decarbonisation strategy, which includes investing millions each week to upgrade the gas network, replacing old iron mains with modern polyethylene pipes. The project will provide a clear, evidence-based pathway for trialling and scaling zero-emissions equipment across large projects, which will shape future operations for WWU and other utilities alike.
The project will be delivered by Cenex, an independent non-profit research consultancy that helps private and public sector organisations devise zero and ultra-low emission strategies.
Cenex will assess real on-site energy requirements, evaluate market-ready hydrogen and battery solutions, examine depot charging options, and develop practical energy hub scenarios - leading to trials and eventual rollout.
Alongside the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Operating Hub project, Wales & West Utilities and Cenex are also investigating the feasibility of using hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) as an alternative to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and battery electric vehicles in the large van and heavy goods vehicle fleet.
The study will compare the technical and economic feasibility of H2ICE vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric alternatives. It will review factors such as energy consumption, weight, range, and refuelling characteristics, while also considering current UK and EU legislation. The findings will identify the potential role of H2ICE vehicles in supporting the decarbonisation of heavy-duty and specialised utility fleets from now until 2035.
Wales & West Utilities Net Zero Transport Lead, Stephen Offley, explains:
“Transitioning to zero-emission alternatives presents several interconnected challenges. These include accurately assessing the energy demands of mobile plant and equipment used on-site, as well as for vehicles, the availability, maturity and practicability of hydrogen and battery options for heavy-duty equipment and addressing logistical, on-site refuelling and recharging constraints.
“We also need to ensure the security of future, portable energy supplies transported to, and utilised on operational sites, and adapt safety, operational, and procurement processes to accommodate these new technologies.
“The project will develop practical and site-safe pathways that align with our operational pace and safety culture.”
The specialised programme of work will include benchmarking WWU’s operational work sites, a market review of zero-emission mobile plant, equipment and welfare solutions, an assessment of on-site charging and refuelling feasibility and site scenarios for the use of different zero-emission technologies (battery, hydrogen, hybrid, and integrated hub).
Project lead at Cenex, Dr Peter Speers, added:
“Cenex is delighted to be supporting Wales & West Utilities on these two hydrogen projects.
“Cenex has over a decade of experience in evaluating and understanding the real-world operation of hydrogen vans and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, which ensures that our work is grounded in both technical rigour and practical application.
“By combining hands-on operational analysis with extensive market insight, we are assisting Wales & West Utilities in establishing a clear, evidence-based path for deploying zero and low-emission technologies in complex, real-world environments in line with their operational pace and safety culture.”