Gloucestershire has a proud tradition of being a world leader in aerospace.
After all, it was from here that that the first jet engine was developed and flew.
And aerospace- with its myriad of specialist supply chain companies in our county- is still a world leader with companies like Messier Dowty.
The challenge of today-particularly in aerospace-is to develop new technologies that will decarbonise transport, commerce and power while driving sustainable growth, upskilling the region and delivering new job opportunities.
That’s why my organisation, Business West, is working with a partnership of nine leading organisations covering aerospace, shipping, hi-tech engineering and public utilities to launch Hydrogen South West.
We believe that the development of the Hydrogen South West consortium will help us to accelerate to a net zero future.
The partnership includes leading companies like easyJet, Airbus, Hynamics(EDF),GKN Aerospace, consultants and engineers Costain and Wood, Bristol Port, Bristol Airport and Wales and West Utilities.
And separately from Hydrogen South West, I discussed running buses on hydrogen with Rupert Cox, the south of England regional director for Stagecoach.
He believes that hydrogen looks like the best future option for longer distance bus routes-rather than electric-which is potentially great news for replacing diesel buses in and around Gloucestershire.
Rupert tells me that British bus builder Alexander Dennis have just launched their first hydrogen powered double decker.
“It’s exciting as the range is expected to be around 300miles”, says Rupert. ”This is a real game changer as electric buses at best manage between 160-170 miles between a full charge.
“There are still financial challenges to introducing non diesel powered buses. An electric bus will be about double the cost of a diesel engined bus with charging infrastructure on top.
“Hydrogen buses cost even more plus higher costs for infrastructure”.
Hydrogen does look to be a game changer on our road to net zero.
And it’s good to see our region at the forefront of the development of a hydrogen infrastructure ecosystem.
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Trading to Net Zero
How business acts now will shape our planet and communities for centuries to come. Business West is commited to safeguarding the environment and addressing the climate crisis.