Ricardo is targeting a transformation of the south coast into a national hub for green transport and energy.
On 26 February, Ricardo announced the launch of Hydrogen Sussex, which has seen it join forces with local authorities and partners from academia, industry, transport and utilities. The goal is to pool expertise to position hydrogen as a mainstream energy carrier to help the drive towards a zero carbon economy, supporting and stimulating the development of zero emissions solutions for the aviation, marine and heavy duty commercial vehicle sectors – all of which are considered critical to the UK economy.
Steve Dyke, MD of Ricardo Automotive and Industrial, set out how they are investing £2.5mn in a hydrogen development and test facility at their Shoreham Technical Centre in West Sussex, with the plan to then grow a “globally recognised centre of excellence for hydrogen, defossilised fuels and electrified transport engineering in the south east of the UK.”
Dyke added: “It will be at the heart of a local hydrogen eco-system consisting of technology development, supply and use of hydrogen. Through Hydrogen Sussex, we want to bring together industrial partners, local universities, utility companies, transport operators, and policy makers and draw on their capabilities as part of a unique collaborative hub.”
