Shoreham-based strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company Ricardo, which has been developing a hydrogen conversion for diesel-engined buses, is applying its expertise in chemical training to assist Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus to implement hydrogen technology safely. Ricardo has delivered hydrogen awareness, safety and incident response training to employees at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus to support the introduction of the companies’ fleet of hydrogen powered buses.
The operator will put 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses into service on Metrobus’ Fastway route 10 serving Crawley and London Gatwick Airport this year. The single-deck fuel cell buses are part funded with money from JIVE (Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles across Europe), a project administered by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership under the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation, plus investment from Gatwick Airport.
Through its National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC), Ricardo was appointed by Brighton & Hove and Metrobus to deliver accredited training on awareness, safety and incident response in relation to hydrogen and fuel cells to operational staff both virtually and in person at bus depots across West Sussex. The training will enable key members of staff to carry out operations supporting hydrogen infrastructure safely but also provide employees with the knowledge and preparation to resolve a real incident safely and efficiently. As a consequence of the success and efficacy of the training, Brighton & Hove and Metrobus recommended to JIVE that the training is made mandatory under the initiative.
Rachel White, Global President Clean Energy and Environmental Solutions at Ricardo said: “The transport sector has a significant role to play not only in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonisation, but also using technological innovation to help improve air quality and public health. Hydrogen can help organisations and countries achieve a low carbon future, and deliver economic growth and green jobs, but it is important to implement this emerging technology safely, and Ricardo has a proven track record supporting clients across the hydrogen value chain. Ricardo’s National Chemical Emergency Centre is internationally renowned for its chemical safety support and emergency response services and has been the trusted partner of the world’s leading chemical companies for nearly 50 years. We are honoured that Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus entrusted us to help keep their teams safe, which is helping to shape a cleaner, safer world.”
Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Ed Wills commented: “To support our ambition of reducing our carbon footprint and decarbonising our operations, then hydrogen is going to be critical to our success. Through the training with Ricardo’s team of chemical experts, we now have a detailed understanding and the confidence to safely manage the use of hydrogen within our operations. We’re excited that this hydrogen training will support us in the decarbonisation of the 60 million passenger journeys we deliver each year.”
