Climate
Hydrogen fuelled local bus in green public transport trial

AN FUTURISTIC demonstration of green, zero-emission public transport is underway in west Wales using a hydrogen fuelled bus between Haverfordwest and Carmarthen.
The trial on the 322 bus route began on Tuesday 26th September and runs on selected days until Monday 9th October 2023.
The bus is being operated with the support of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire County Councils, bus operator Taf Valley Coaches and private hire operator Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions.
The bus is fuelled by locally produced electrolytic green hydrogen – made from renewable electricity and water – supplied by Protium from their installation at the University of South Wales Hydrogen Centre in Baglan.
The H2 City Gold electric bus is provided by Caetano Bus UK with the HyQube hydrogen refueller provided by Fuel Cell Systems Ltd.

The bus has an equivalent range to that of a conventional diesel vehicle and takes a similar time to refuel. It uses a refuelling point similar to the garage forecourt that we are all familiar with.
The 322 service was chosen to see how the bus performs on a longer route with long hills, which can be a challenge for battery powered buses.
Cllr Paul Miller, PCC Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Following our successful trial of hydrogen fuel cell cars in the Milford Haven : Energy Kingdom (MH:EK) project we know that decarbonising public transport is key to achieving our individual and collective commitments for net zero carbon.
“We are pleased to host this trial. Hydrogen can play a significant role in decarbonising public transport and the only emissions from this vehicle is water vapour”.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Infrastructure & Environment, Darren Thomas added: “The use of hydrogen is very much part of the council’s decarbonisation and renewable energy strategy.
“Given the major renewable energy and hydrogen projects that are underway in the region, hydrogen fuelled buses offer a practical solution for communities to decarbonise public transport and immediately improve air quality. These trials are great news as they could lead the way for cleaner public transport.”
Bus and coach operator Taf Valley Coaches, a family-owned and operated business based in Whitland, is trialling sustainable fuels and technologies to help decarbonise their operations.
As part of the Caetano bus trials, they will be getting feedback from the vehicle, the drivers and also the passengers to help inform future provision.
Chris Foxall, Founder and CEO of Hyppo Hydrogen which is delivering hydrogen related services in Wales and has established the first private hire operator that runs fuel cell passenger cars, said: “The fuel cell is a Welsh invention and with the vast potential for additional renewables in counties like Pembrokeshire, it makes sense to produce and use hydrogen locally.
“There is already significant experience dealing with hydrogen safely in the region, and so I’m pleased that the council is supporting the roll out of hydrogen transport for the benefit of the community.”
Meanwhile, the Senedd will today (Oct 4) debate a motion calling on the Welsh Government to protect and invest in bus services.
Jane Dodds MS has accused Labour Ministers of stringing bus services along and being too slow to act on its long-awaited reform of bus services. In the debate, Jane will highlight the huge benefit that public transport has to local economies, with 63% of small and medium-sized businesses stating that their business is directly affected by public transport.
Commenting, Jane Dodds MS said: “For months, Welsh Government have strung communities and bus operators along with last-minute and short-term announcements around the funding of bus services. What’s more, the long-awaited reforms to bus services still look no closer to being delivered.
“Over recent weeks and months, vital services like the Fflecsi Bwcabus in rural areas has been axed, and more than 10% of bus services have seen major revisions, with huge ramifications for our communities.
“Meanwhile the Conservatives in Westminster are toying with the idea of scrapping the Manchester leg of HS2 means that new services will come nowhere near Wales. Any notion of HS2 being of any benefit to Wales is an absolute joke.
“The Conservatives are running out of excuses to withhold £5bn in infrastructure spending for Wales and, by sitting on their hands, Labour Ministers are watching bus services fail. We deserve better.
“Communities and bus operators need urgent clarity about Welsh Government plans and a crystal clear timeline to deliver the changes and improvements we all want to see in our bus services.”
Climate
Blue Gem Wind shares wind speed data with Wales’ Marine Energy Test Area

BLUE GEM WIND, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, have shared important wind speed data with Wales’ Marine Energy Test Area (META).
The data was collected as part of the development of the Erebus floating wind project, which is planned to be built approximately 45km off the coast of Pembrokeshire.
Mike Scott, Project Managing Director at Blue Gem Wind, said: “We installed a met mast on the Angle Peninsula in early 2021 to understand wind speed and other weather-related data for the development of our Erebus floating wind project. Working with Marine Energy Wales we are happy to provide data we have collected to support the ongoing development plans at META .”
META operates eight sites in and around the Milford Haven waterway. It offers testing in real sea conditions for wave, tidal and floating offshore wind technology, alongside world-class port, engineering, and manufacturing facilities.
As the only pre-consented, pre-commercial test facility of its kind in the country, META is dedicated to reducing the time, cost and risks associated with the deployment and commercialisation of marine energy technologies, saving companies valuable time and money.
Saul Young, META Operations Manager said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Blue Gem Wind and to be sharing data in this way. Not only will it help improve our understanding of conditions at the East Pickard Bay site, but it will also help support the development of the sector by providing technology developers and researchers accurate data with which to plan their innovative projects at META. META has a growing catalogue of data for our various sites, and we are committed to expanding our collection.”
Climate
Innovative Pembrokeshire net zero project in gains momentum

IN A GROUNDBREAKING move towards achieving net zero emissions, RWE and Dragon LNG have embarked on a pioneering venture that could reshape the industrial landscape of South Wales. The collaboration aims to develop the Multi-Utility Service Transit (MUST) infrastructure project along the Milford Haven Waterway, a significant stride in the region’s journey towards sustainability.
The MUST project is currently under a feasibility study to determine its potential impact. This visionary project promises numerous environmental benefits, including the complete elimination of CO2 emissions from Dragon LNG’s regasification process. This is achievable through the innovative use of residual process heat from RWE’s Pembroke Power Station generators.
Another significant aspect of the project is establishing a route to export CO2 from a potential carbon capture plant at Pembroke Power Station. Additionally, the project paves the way for developing CO2 liquefaction, storage, and shipping capabilities at Dragon LNG. This will further strengthen the UK’s position in global environmental efforts.
Moreover, the project aims to establish an additional export route for blue and green hydrogen from the south to the north side of the Milford Haven waterway. This would potentially include hydrogen from RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen projects, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.
Beyond environmental benefits, the MUST project offers a unique opportunity for other industries to access crucial infrastructure for broader industrial decarbonisation. This includes supply water, direct wire connections from potential offshore renewables, and other utilities or products.
The South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC) Deployment Project, a flagship collaborative effort, encapsulates the MUST project as a critical component in achieving net zero infrastructure. It has received significant backing from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through its Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge program, assisting in the engineering and design phases.
Dr Bryony Livesey, Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Director for Industrial Decarbonisation, highlighted the project’s importance in achieving the UK’s net zero emissions goal by 2050. She expressed enthusiasm for supporting the MUST project to meet its objectives.
Sarah Jennings, Executive Director at Natural Resources Wales, emphasized their commitment to supporting the project through its feasibility stage. She stressed the importance of balancing decarbonisation ambitions with the conservation of sensitive natural sites like the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC and Milford Haven Waterway SSSI.
Simon Ames, MD of Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy, expressed excitement about Dragon’s future role in community and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged the importance of government and regulatory support to ensure sustainable development while protecting the environment.
Richard Little, RWE Director of PNZC, expressed delight over the funding received for the MUST project. He underlined the project’s role as a key enabler of RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC), a comprehensive multi-technology decarbonisation initiative in South Wales.
The MUST project stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, promising a greener, cleaner future for Pembrokeshire and beyond. With significant support from industry leaders and government bodies, it marks a pivotal moment in the region’s environmental journey.
Climate
How Welsh residents can use clean energy in their homes

In the next decade, Wales aims to reach 100% of its internal electricity demands through renewable sources. The climate change minister remains at the forefront of ensuring sustainable energy sources in the country.
One way Welsh residents can join in the effort to use clean energy is by adopting renewable energy sources in their homes. These renewable energy sources provide clean and efficient energy without negatively impacting the environment.
Furthermore, these eco-friendly energy sources save money spent on electricity. It aids Welsh residents living in sustainable homes while saving the environment. Let’s dive deep into finding how to transform your houses into energy-efficient and sustainable homes.
What Is It?
Clean energy is pure energy extracted from nature without any pollutants produced with its usage. This energy is highly beneficial for the environment as it doesn’t leave behind any pollutants. It harnesses nature’s power with sources including:
⦁ Sun energy
⦁ Wind
⦁ Water
⦁ Air
Unlike traditional, clean energy sources don’t release harmful pollutants into the air. Green energy, sourced from natural elements, has a key distinction.
Renewable energy from these clean sources comes from continually replenished resources. Thus, it ensures they never run out, unlike non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.
The essence of clean energy is generating power without any potential harm to the environment for citizens.
Choosing clean energy is good for the environment. It helps protect Wale’s natural resources and lowers the chances of environmental disasters.
Because Wale’s government invests heavily in clean energy sources, they can create stable power supplies, strengthening the country’s energy security.
How to Use Clean Energy Sources in Homes
Welsh residents are quickly adopting clean energy sources in their daily routines. Here is a look at some different clean energy sources for Welsh citizens to incorporate:
- Rooftop Solar Panels
The most common source of renewable energy is solar. It includes mounting solar panels on your rooftop to utilize the sun’s energy that gets converted into power. The more solar panels mounted on your rooftop, the more power it generates.
Additionally, homeowners can invest in lithium batteries as storage backups during nighttime or cloudy days. It ensures a continuous energy supply in your home, enough to power basic home appliances.
Homeowners can contribute the surplus electricity to the grid and earn compensation. It ensures a steady supply of energy in your house. This is the best option for users looking to homestead upcountry. - Tubular Skylights
Sometimes, you need to light up your house during the day. Clustered homes without a sufficient supply of natural light depend on lightning. It leads to increased energy bills and carbon footprint.
A natural way to light up your homes during sunny days is through these innovative tubular skylights. These skylights don’t create electricity but redirect free natural light into your home.
It’s a highly dependable system similar to a reliable paper writing service online since you know what you’re signing up for. It contains a dome of metal tubes running between the dome on the roof, with the diffuser mounted on the ceiling.
The inner tubing has a reflective coating reflecting natural sunlight into your home. These systems are easy to install. Also, they are highly rigid to fit into small spaces. Unfortunately, they tools can’t work during nighttime. - Wind Turbine
Wind turbines are an underrated source of clean energy for homeowners. Especially for ones looking for sustainable living options, harnessing wind power that converts kinetic energy into electricity. Thus, this reduces homeowner’s dependence on fossil fuels.
The market is full of small wind turbines suited for residential applications. Hence, homeowners can choose their preferred wind turbine size depending on their energy needs.
Moreover, most wind turbines occupy a maximum of 10 or 20 square feet of ground space, thus making them viable options for small residential homes. Unlike solar power, these turbines can generate electricity day and night on sunny and cloudy days. - Solar Water Heating
People in Wales are very interested in solar water heating systems because they are easy to use. These systems change the sun’s free energy into hot water. The good thing is that when experts set them up, they don’t need much looking after them.
Solar water heating systems comprise panels and tubes that gather solar energy, converting sunlight into heat.
Installing these systems ensures a steady supply of hot water throughout the year. To cope with winter, adding a boiler or immersion heater is necessary. Moreover, homeowners benefit from lower energy bills since solar energy is free.
Additionally, using solar water heating systems helps reduce one’s carbon footprint by lowering carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a healthier planet.
Future of Wales’s Energy Consumption
In Wales, the future looks promising for sustainable living. The government is determined to satisfy all electricity needs with renewable sources. People generally agree that completely relying on renewable sources is better than relying on fossil fuels.
As Wales’ population keeps expanding, we see higher energy demand. The solution is turning to renewable sources and clean energy to meet this growing need sustainably.
The change to clean energy is precedented by local authorities crafting policies necessitating the usage of renewable energy. With more areas driving towards becoming energy-sufficient, governments and corporations are leading the way in fighting for renewable power.
Our dependence on fossil fuels for years has significantly impacted the climate. We are experiencing the effects of these practices, with global warming becoming a major talking point on the global stage.
Clean energy guarantees an avenue to alternate fossil fuels. The market has yet to fully explore the possibility of relying on renewable sources for daily demands. However, the conversation is happening at a rapid rate.
Final Takeaway
Wales began utilizing renewable energy to meet its internal electricity demands by 2035. Hence, locals should start opening up to sustainable homes relying on clean energy. These options are sustainable ways homeowners can incorporate their energy sufficiency without any adverse climate impacts.
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