A new hydrogen refuelling training facility has been launched at Redcar and Cleveland College.

Believed to be among the first colleges in the country to have a fully operational modular unit of its kind deployed on site, it will offer students and delegates the chance to see hydrogen as an alternate transport fuel in full use.

The training facility has been developed thanks to an investment of £286,000 from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority. The refuelling system has been supplied by Hydrasun, along with four mobile units to support hands-on installation and maintenance training and skills development.

“This is yet another exciting development in our efforts to build a local workforce with the specialist knowledge and skills to meet the demands of current and future-facing technology,” said Jason Faulkner, deputy chief executive officer of the Education Training Collective which incorporates Redcar and Cleveland College.

With a focus on future developments and a shared drive to support the Tees Valley’s emerging renewable and low carbon sector, the college’s aim is to equip learners with an increased knowledge of the use of alternate fuels, such as hydrogen, in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

And making the resources available to fellow colleges across the Tees Valley will also further extend their reach.

Faulkner added: “To demonstrate hydrogen technology at the college helps massively, turning theory into practice and allowing students, apprentices and delegates, to see hydrogen in action in a real environment.”

He hopes it will help to build wider confidence around working with hydrogen, particularly with its increased use in the transport and construction sectors.

Redcar and Cleveland College unveiled the modular hydrogen refuelling facility at a launch event with staff, employer partners and industry guests.

The development comes as work continues on a pioneering hydrogen refuelling station at Teesside International Airport, part of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport hub, funded by the UK Government.

Tees Valley Combined Authority interim director of business solutions, Sarah Walker, said: “We are bringing thousands of highly skilled jobs to Tees Valley, but it is vital local people have the right training to take advantages of the career opportunities available.

 “It's therefore a key part of our plan to support high-quality training that meets the needs of employers to ensure we have the pipeline of local talent in place to support the rapid growth taking place in our region’s economy.”

The college has also acquired three Mirai cars, working with Toyota, to fully demonstrate hydrogen’s use as an alternate fuel source.

With hydrogen now used in a number of transport applications, the modular refuelling units have been deployed to refuel buses, trains and airport handling vehicles, to facilitate the trial and deployment of hydrogen-powered vehicles.