Hi-tech green power grid switched on at Fife docks

● New scheme will fuel hydrogen bin lorries and vans

A pioneering green energy project that will see quieter, cleaner bin lorries on Scottish streets and provide eco-friendly power to local businesses has become operational.

Levenmouth Community Energy Project (LCEP), based at Methil docks in Fife, is one of the first of its type in the world.

It utilises renewable electricity produced locally by a wind turbine and solar panels to create hydrogen from water.

SHETLAND

Some of the hydrogen is then used to run a fleet of 17 lowemission refuse trucks and vans, while the rest is stored in fuel cells and can be called upon to generate low-carbon electricity when output from the renewables devices is poor.

A “smart” microgrid controls how much hydrogen gets stored and the quantity that is converted into green electricity to supply businesses.

As well as commissioning two specially adapted dualfuel bin lorries, the scheme aims to help local firms boost their eco credentials by offering a range of hydrogen-powered vehicles for hire.

LCEP is a partnership between locally based notfor-profit firm Bright Green Hydrogen (BGH), Fife Council and Japanese technology giant Toshiba.

The scheme has received £4 million in support from the Scottish Government’s Local Energy Challenge Fund, plus funding from Transport Scotland to install a hydrogen storage and refuelling station at the council’s Bankhead vehicle depot in Glenrothes.

The initiative has now reached a major milestone as the hi-tech control system is switched on.

It means the site is now capable of operating automatically to balance hydrogen storage against renewable generation, and both the Methil and Bankhead refuelling stations are up and running.

“The Levenmouth project demonstrates how we can use locally produced hydrogen to reduce both carbon dioxide and toxic emissions,” said George Archibald, chief executive of BGH.

“This is a vital part of meeting Scotland’s climate change targets, and hugely important to protecting public health.”

Councillor Ken Caldwell, convener of Fife Council’s Levenmouth area committee, said: “This is great news for Levenmouth. This innovative project will bring many benefits to the area. ”

Toshiba’s Stephen Stead said the scheme provided the “perfect location” to couple the firm’s technology with innovative green hydrogen uses.