A business which helped deliver the hydrogen-powered train catching headlines at COP26 has talked of the proud moment their collaborative work entered the world’s spotlight.
tpgroup is the prime contractor for the integrated hydrogen fuel cell system on the HydroFLEX – the UK’s first Hydrogen-powered train and delivered by its supply chain in less than 12 months. tpgroup’s role has covered preliminary consulting work around the system requirements and configuration through to providing the hydrogen fuel cells. It also designed and manufactured critical electrical components and cabling for the system.
The work was carried out by specialists within tpgroup’s Atmosphere Management Systems business based in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
The programme has seen over £7m invested by Porterbrook to demonstrate how green-hydrogen and innovative-engineering can accelerate the delivery of a greener rail sector. It has also successfully created the UK’s first hydrogen-rail supply chain covering over 30 businesses, many new to rail.
The HydroFLEX train at COP26 includes an ‘on-board boardroom’, giving invited special guests the chance to use the train to support the globally significant discussions that will take place in and around the international event.
Managing Director of tpgroup’s Atmosphere Management Systems business, Jon Constable, said: “We are proud to be part of this milestone programme that will see the UK’s first hydrogen-ready train showcased at COP26. The success is due to the huge level of commitment across the supply chain and partners to make this happen with Porterbrook’s support. I would also like to pay credit to my team that have worked tirelessly to achieve the tight deadlines.”
CEO of Porterbrook, Mary Grant, said: “We are incredibly proud to work alongside some truly great British businesses, whose skills and expertise have helped us take HydroFLEX to COP26. This reflects a high level of collaboration across the private sector which in turn has been supported by our Network Rail and University of Birmingham partners. Seeing HydroFLEX in action in Glasgow will be a true milestone moment as we accelerate the rail industry’s journey towards Net Zero.”
Image credit: tpgroup
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