Exploring clean energy: A visit to Tyseley Energy Park
IGEM's Young Persons Network (YPN) members recently visited Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham to learn about the latest developments in energy technology. Located in Tyseley, the park is a beacon of innovation, spearheading the charge towards low and zero-carbon hydrogen solutions for a greener future.
The location supports Birmingham's efforts to improve air quality through clean air zones and urban planning.
Attendees were introduced to the park's initiatives, including:
- Birmingham Bio Power - a power plant featuring a 10-megawatt biomass gasification plant
- Motive low/zero carbon refuelling station - the UK's first multi-fuel, open-access refuelling station
- Ammogen - an innovative ammonia to hydrogen conversion project
- Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre - a site for industry, academia, and local government to conduct research
- Tyseley Business Incubation hub - office, lab, and industrial spaces for small businesses focusing on energy, waste or mobility technologies.
The park is currently developing a new 'National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat' which will rapidly scale-up the manufacturing, skills and deployment of sustainable heating solutions.
Education and community engagement are central to the park's ethos. From apprenticeship programs to interactive school visits, Tyseley Energy Park is committed to nurturing future talent and empowering tomorrow's engineers.
Igniting Innovation at the Hydrogen Kitchen
The standout element of the tour was the hydrogen-fuelled commercial kitchen operated by National Gas Metering. Designed to mimic a standard industrial kitchen that adheres to IGEM safety standards, the kitchen utilises cooking equipment initially developed for the Redcar hydrogen village trials. The purpose of the kitchen is to be a testing ground to assess the viability of hydrogen cooking.
The kitchen has received praise from local chefs, noting the similarities to a traditional natural gas kitchen, albeit with the distinctive sound of a "pop" upon the ignition of the hydrogen stove.
"I found the visit to Tyseley Energy Park extremely informative and was surprised by the scale of the site. I enjoyed seeing the variety of innovative research underway; my highlight was the hydrogen kitchen run by National Gas Metering. I work in energy markets and have been encouraged to see the development of both hydrogen production and consumer demand including refuelling stations here at the site."
"It was great to witness the diverse range of businesses that are collaborating on hydrogen research. My favourite part of the tour was learning about ammonia cracking and its potential impact on energy security. It was interesting to learn more about the feasibility of these emerging technologies."
As the event concluded, attendees departed with an insight into the cutting-edge developments driving the hydrogen energy movement. From hydrogen cars to hydrogen cooking, the park serves as a hub for collaborative research and technological advancement.
