On the 3^rd – 5^th July 2024, a free shuttle bus service running between Bridgend Station and Bridgend College’s Pencoed Campus for future Bridgend College students. Powered completely by hydrogen, the service showcased green hydrogen’s potential as a key solution in the fight against climate change and air pollution for future generations.

Run across three days, the bus allowed young people from across Bridgend County Borough to experience first-hand how innovative solutions can make a real difference in the fight against climate change. With many of the students potentially going on to study apprenticeships and STEMM subjects at the college, they had the opportunity throughout the day to meet hydrogen technology experts from Marubeni Europower and Hyppo Hydrogen who organised the hydrogen bus.

Created as a cleaner alternative to diesel models, hydrogen powered busses only emit water in their exhausts. Creating zero emissions, the technology not only supports Bridgend and Wales’ Net Zero ambitions, but also provides a much quieter experience for customers too.

George Dodd, Senior Vice President of Marubeni Europower, said:

“We are really excited to have been able to support the hydrogen bus coming to Bridgend again so that we can demonstrate the benefits of green hydrogen technology for local communities. Hydrogen-powered buses present a sustainable option for communities aiming to lower carbon emissions and enhance air quality in public transportation, setting a precedent for cleaner public transport.”

Chris Foxall, CEO at Hyppo Hydrogen solutions, said:

“Hyppo and Marubeni Europower have been delivering zero emission hydrogen transport and renewable educational workshops in Bridgend for over a year now, and we’re really pleased to have the H2 City Gold bus back so we can demonstrate the future of public transport to Bridgend College students. We hope to expand zero emission transport services alongside partners such as South Wales Transport when green hydrogen projects such as the Bridgend HyBont scheme delivers affordable green hydrogen.”

Tony Tomsett, Business Development Director at Toyota Caetano Bus, added:

“Toyota Caetano are proud to be part of the team transporting Bridgend College’s newest students to their Pencoed Campus. The skills needed for new clean technologies like fuel cell buses will come from our young learners, and we’ll need their talents as we scale up the hydrogen economy. This is the second time that the H2 City Gold Bus has worked with Marubeni Europower, Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions and First Cymru in Bridgend and we hope to see a sustained demand for hydrogen buses going forward.”

As part of their work to supply clean green hydrogen to businesses and transport networks in the area, Marubeni Europower are proposing a green hydrogen production and refuelling facility at Brynmenyn Industrial Estate. HyBont will be partially powered by a dedicated and already operational solar farm and onshore wind farm, the facility will produce and store low carbon energy to meet the demands of the local area.

In recent months Marubeni Europower have had the opportunity to amend plans for the HyBont site, by working with manufacturers and contractors to optimise the space for the best working environment. The most notable change has been a wall extension on two sides of the property to help further reduce noise from within the site. The footprint of the HyBont site has remained the same.