AFC Energy supports HS2 with construction partners Mace and Dragados

HS2 introduced our hydrogen fuel cell for zero emissions operations on site. Mace Dragados Joint Venture, the construction team building HS2’s new Euston station, trialled our H-Power Tower hydrogen fuel cell, to generate clean power to charge a fully electric JCB telehandler.

Sustainable construction in action

Charging electric construction machinery with zero-emission solutions at point of use provides a real step forward in decarbonising the activities of construction activities where mains supply is not possible.

Our H-Power Tower was used to charge their JCB on-site telehandler electric vehicle, and is an entirely emission free solution, reducing noise, carbon and air pollution. 

Forward thinking

The forward thinking joint venture, between constructions firms Mace and Dragados, is leading the work to develop the HS2 rail lines.  HS2 is continuing to support the use of new low carbon energy technology to reach zero emissions operations on site. 

This is just one of the many ways HS2 is reducing carbon emissions and air pollution. HS2 is targeting all their construction sites to be diesel free by 2029, hydrogen fuel cells are a key part of making this possible.

Reducing emissions for the industry

During the trial the H-Power Tower proved itself as a reliable, efficient alternative to fossil fuels. It also provided a reminder every day to the workforce to put decarbonisation at the forefront of the industries thinking.

The Construction Leadership Council, representing the construction industry has developed a Zero Diesel Site route map. Hydrogen based power is a significant part this route map. So we look forward to continuing to supporting the sector on the Zero Diesel strategy. 

"Our trialling of fuel cell generators at our Euston station site underlines our commitment to supporting HS2 with its aspiration to help drive a low carbon future in the UK. By using the electricity generated by the AFC Energy’s unit to power a very visible piece of equipment that we use on site each and every day, we’re reminding our workforce of the need to put decarbonisation at the forefront of our industry’s thinking and encouraging them to bring their own innovative ideas to Euston."

Ben Wheeldon, Programme Director for Mace Dragados joint venture

"HS2 is championing the use of environmentally friendly energy solutions across the project, and this is another great example of just that. Reducing the reliance on mains sources of power while still moving away from diesel generated power is critical for the UKs low carbon future and trialling the use of hydrogen power to charge electric machines and for plant equipment as a whole will be a major step forward for the wider construction sector."

Andrea Davidson, Head of Environmental Sciences at HS2