Eight Greater Manchester based firms are the chosen cohort to work alongside Bosch and enter the hydrogen supply chain. Electricity generation from hydrogen is poised to be an important part of the UK roadmap to net zero. The Hydrogen Supply Chain Innovation Challenge will give these selected companies exclusive access to the Bosch Hydrogen HQ in Germany.
The Hydrogen Supply Chain Innovation Challenge
The Bosch Innovation Challenge is being delivered by GM Business Growth Hub, Bosch GMbH, Manchester Metropolitan University and Green Economy. It will grant rare access to eight Greater Manchester based firms looking to enter the hydrogen supply market.
Until now small markets and limited integrators have prevented the wide spread adoption of hydrogen in the UK. The Bosch Innovation Challenge sets up Greater Manchester as the launch pad for large scale hydrogen supply, and will support its goal of carbon neutrality by 2038.
Amer Gaffar, Director of Industrial Strategy Partnerships at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: ‘Hydrogen represents a transformative force for clean energy – and through our partnership we’re empowering local SMEs to tap into this opportunity. By combining academic research, industry innovation, and practical support, we’re helping build a regional supply chain that will not only drive net-zero ambitions but also secure Greater Manchester’s role as a global hydrogen hub.’
The Cohort of Eight
The following eight companies will participate in the hydrogen supply innovation challenge:
Endress and Hauser Ltd – a process and laboratory instrumentation and automation supplier based in Wythshawe
Industrial Switchgear Services Ltd – a high and low voltage power engineering contractor and manufacturer based in Hyde
Kane International – a manufacturer of portable flue gas & engine exhaust analysers based in Atherton.
Oldham Engineering Ltd – a project management and manufacturing company based in Oldham
Op-tec System – a industrial automation specialists based in Stockport.
Packaged Heat Ltd – a manufacturer of Plate Heat Exchangers based in Ashton-under-Lyne.
RedGray Engineering Ltd – a medical, specialist and industrial gas installers based in Stretford.
Salt Separation Services Ltd – a design and manufacture of reverse osmosis water treatment systems based in Rochdale.
The Suitability of Greater Manchester to Lead UK Hydrogen Supply
Bosch recognises the suitability of Greater Manchester for the Hydrogen Supply Innovation Challenge due to its status as a world class industrial centre in a city with ambitious sustainability targets.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, expressed enthusiasm for the project: ‘Greater Manchester is rapidly emerging as a leading hub for hydrogen, powered by innovative companies and our outstanding research strengths, so it’s great to see businesses from our city region given the opportunity to learn from a massive global company like Bosch. Hydrogen is one of the focus areas of our growing relationship with Germany, and we look forward to seeing these businesses take this relationship forward while creating good growth, new jobs and opportunities for our residents.’
Expanding Electricity Production from Hydrogen
The UK Government has a target of 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030, with at least half from electrolysis. It estimates huge economic potential from hydrogen with the introduction of over 12,000 new jobs and £11 billion of investment.
Unlocking this potential will require the deployment of electrolysers and the development of strong local supply chains for their production, integration and operation. The Innovation Challenge will help drive development of the necessary infrastructure to create a hydrogen supply network in Greater Manchester and provide a basis for further growth across the UK.
Chris Lake, Business Development Manager at Bosch UK & IE, said: ‘Hydrogen is an important part of the energy transition and will require the collaboration of many partners along the supply chain from components to EPC to system operations. This initiative from Greater Manchester is an excellent idea, and brings together a consortium of expertise and drive to make Hydrogen an economic growth success for GM.’
An Exciting Opportunity for Growth
The expansion of electricity production from hydrogen is a key component of the UK’s roadmap to net zero. The current lack of local supply chains represents a significant challenge to this expansion. The Hydrogen Supply Chain Innovation Challenge will support eight Greater Manchester firms to enter the hydrogen supply network. The businesses will take part in workshops and development sessions in a January site visit to Bosch Germany. The challenge runs until March, with continued support thereafter.
