The fifth recommendation -Phasing Out of Fossil Fuels and Scaling Up Renewable Energy- within the report launched in November 2022 by the High-Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities reads: “Instead of slowing down the decarbonization of the global economy, now is the time to accelerate the energy transition to a renewable energy future.” And universities are stepping in for that.
The Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC) is a facility at?, a member institution of the?United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)?in the United Kingdom, dedicated to developing new sources of green, emission-free energy and making it available to as many people as possible. It brings together the latest technology, world-leading academics, and industry professionals to create new, clean electrolyzers, and fuel cells.
The MFCIC is at the forefront of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, which creates sustainable electrical energy through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. This is aligned with the??and, in particular,?Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The technology has the potential to power homes, offices, factories, cars, and public transport – making them more efficient and not dependent on the primary power grid.
Fuel cells have higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines, operate silently, and the only waste product at the point of use is heat and water. As a result, they can be used to store energy efficiently, which other forms of renewable energy currently struggle to do. “There is a huge investment in hydrogen and fuel cell technology, nationally and globally, and this will continue to grow,” commented Amer Gaffar, Director of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre.
“Our collaborations with small and mid-size enterprises are opening vast market opportunities that fuel cells can bring to local businesses and industry – ensuring that this green technology is adopted regionally. And, we are also engaging with the public, educating people about the importance of producing sustainable energy and how hydrogen power can benefit all of us,” the expert explained about the results of this applied research.
From multinational organizations to small-to-medium-sized enterprises, the MFCIC supports businesses in developing cutting-edge fuel cells, fuel cell materials, and related technology to create green and emission-free energy – whatever their energy need. The Centre puts local enterprises at the forefront of the technology with its unique program of workshops and access to specialist help and facilities, reducing risks and accelerating routes to market.
By now, the MFCIC has supported over 80 small and mid-size enterprises under its business support program, with each stakeholder supported by a number of researchers working within the enhanced facility. Moreover, the MFCIC plays a vital role in installing Greater Manchester’s first low-carbon hydrogen fuel hub, meaning sustainable hydrogen fuel can be produced at scale in this British region for the first time.
?is the largest consented green hydrogen scheme in the United Kingdom. The new facilities will be able to generate 200 megawatts of renewable energy through the production and storage of hydrogen. This will help create greater energy security, jobs, and opportunities for businesses to make net zero plans. That aside, the MFCIC was part of the launching last November of the?.
The latter will help businesses to ensure new net zero opportunities can be harnessed for the benefit of communities and people across the region. The Charter uses a net zero lens to articulate the skills and capabilities most important for businesses seeking to recruit new workers. “We shape the capabilities and technologies needed to deliver a net zero economy as well as help those businesses reach their sustainability goals,” Gaffar said.
Along these lines, the MFCIC, alongside other institutions of higher education in the region, is applying energy and environmental research expertise, working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and industry partners, ensuring that the city of Manchester, located 260 km northwest of London, continues to lead on ambitious regional environmental innovation and action. This includes capacity-building and free-of-charge training.
An example of such training is the online course?, covering principles of sustainable industrial development, decarbonization of cities, and challenges faced by local councils, strategists, and researchers. Also, the MFCIC plays a central role in the university’s graduate program of??and is part of the??project to deliver hydrogen education in schools.
Over the coming years, the MFCIC will continue to explore the pure science of the fuel cell itself, driving engagement with industry on a local, national, and international scale and developing the technology talent of tomorrow. This shows how that intellectual potential within academia can help create a better and cleaner world, promoting the cause of sustainability through its teaching and research activities while engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.
