St Andrews secures £2m green hydrogen funding
In January 2024, the University of St Andrews received a £2 million grant from the Wolfson Foundation to advance the development of green hydrogen technologies, crucial for decarbonising the energy and chemical industries.
The Green Hydrogen Accelerator will provide dedicated space for cutting-edge research focused on the efficient production of hydrogen from water and its applications in energy storage and chemical production.
Plans for the facility, which have been submitted to Fife Council, include an innovation hall, laboratory space, and a fenced compound to house a large-scale electrolyser for green hydrogen production and carbon capture units. The 400-square-metre research facility will be located on the University’s Eden Campus, on the former paper mill site at Guardbridge, just three miles from St Andrews.
The £13 million project marks a significant step in the development of the Campus, which aims to become the University’s living lab for innovation, hosting a variety of facilities dedicated to the next generation of low-carbon technologies.
Professor John Irvine, who leads much of the University’s work on energy storage and hydrogen production, commented: “The Green Hydrogen Accelerator will be instrumental in demonstrating how hydrogen can drive future energy systems. It will provide crucial research and development space to fast-track the development of these technologies.”
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, added: “Urgent action is needed to decarbonise energy, industry, and transport systems, and the long-term success of these efforts will depend on high-quality research and development. We are delighted to support this new infrastructure at St Andrews, which will accelerate the transition to cleaner energy for Scotland and beyond.”