Why London?

A number of factors contribute to making London an attractive place for the demonstration and mainstream introduction of hydrogen and fuel cells. The London Hydrogen Partnership acts as the facilitator for bringing projects to London, and maximising the potential of London’s hydrogen and fuel cell ‘niches’.

The Mayor of London

The Mayor is required to produce a number of strategies that must be integrated under the principles of health, equalities and sustainable development. The Mayor considers energy as crucial to London and has produced a Climate Change, Mitigation and Energy Strategy, which sees the establishment of a hydrogen economy in London as a priority.

The Transport, Air Quality, Economic Development and Waste Strategies are also particularly pertinent.

The Mayor established the London Hydrogen Partnership to drive forward London’s hydrogen economy. In addition, he is keen to adopt the technology where feasible in the buildings and vehicles owned and operated by the GLA group (Greater London Authority, London Development Agency, Transport for London, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Metropolitan Police Authority).

Control of public transport

A London CUTE bus, powered by a PEM fuel cell and fuelled by gaseous hydrogen. c Transport for London Transport for London (TfL) controls London’s buses, taxis and licensed minicabs, and London Underground Ltd.

Air pollution

Air pollution is a critical issue for the capital, affecting Londoners’ health and everyday quality of life. Poor air quality is estimated to be contributing to over 4,000 deaths per year in London. Parts of London are not meeting EU targets for the most harmful pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM10). Failure to meet limit values could lead to the European Commission taking legal action against Member States and possible fines being imposed.

The Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy sets out actions to improve London’s air quality and includes measures aimed at reducing emissions from transport, homes, workplaces and new developments. The London Hydrogen Action Plan promotes the Mayor’s air quality goals by supporting the demonstration and deployment of zero-emissions technologies, such as the recently introduced hydrogen buses on London’s RV1 bus route.

London skills base

Photovoltaic cells installed on a roof. © Solar Century London can lead and position itself as a centre of hydrogen excellence. Many significant players in the hydrogen and fuel cell field have offices or headquarters in London, offering great potential for engagement.

Furthermore, London’s academic expertise in hydrogen and fuel cells is already well established. It is likely that the establishment of centres of expertise for training and teaching in all aspects of the hydrogen economy would contribute significantly to London’s green economy, as skills shortage is a key supply side constraint on growth.

Financial markets/legal and other professional bodies

The concentration of finance companies in London offers significant opportunity to access investment, including venture capital. The same applies to the specialist legal profession (key to safeguarding intellectual property, for example).

Size and density

London by night. © LE Group London is a large and densely populated city, and 800,000 more people are expected in London by 2016, fuelling massive demand for housing. The regeneration programmes that are in progress to cope with this expansion are among the largest in Europe, and there are considerable opportunities for hydrogen and fuel cells as part of sustainable construction, design and management of this new development.

These include the 2012 Olympic Games, and the masterplanning and delivery of development in the Thames Gateway.

Given the number of vehicles on London’s streets, only a small proportion is needed to develop the critical mass needed to support a network of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.


LHP	Home > Why London?
Home About the LHP Members Hydrogen and fuel cells Why London? Publications Contact us	Why London? A number of factors contribute to making London an attractive place for the demonstration and mainstream introduction of hydrogen and fuel cells. The London Hydrogen Partnership acts as the facilitator for bringing projects to London, and maximising the potential of London’s hydrogen and fuel cell ‘niches’. The Mayor of London The Mayor is required to produce a number of strategies that must be integrated under the principles of health, equalities and sustainable development. The Mayor considers energy as crucial to London and has produced a Climate Change, Mitigation and Energy Strategy, which sees the establishment of a hydrogen economy in London as a priority. The Transport, Air Quality, Economic Development and Waste Strategies are also particularly pertinent. The Mayor established the London Hydrogen Partnership to drive forward London’s hydrogen economy. In addition, he is keen to adopt the technology where feasible in the buildings and vehicles owned and operated by the GLA group (Greater London Authority, London Development Agency, Transport for London, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Metropolitan Police Authority). Control of public transport Transport for London (TfL) controls London’s buses, taxis and licensed minicabs, and London Underground Ltd. Air pollution Air pollution is a critical issue for the capital, affecting Londoners’ health and everyday quality of life. Poor air quality is estimated to be contributing to over 4,000 deaths per year in London. Parts of London are not meeting EU targets for the most harmful pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM10). Failure to meet limit values could lead to the European Commission taking legal action against Member States and possible fines being imposed. The Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy sets out actions to improve London’s air quality and includes measures aimed at reducing emissions from transport, homes, workplaces and new developments. The London Hydrogen Action Plan promotes the Mayor’s air quality goals by supporting the demonstration and deployment of zero-emissions technologies, such as the recently introduced hydrogen buses on London’s RV1 bus route. London skills base London can lead and position itself as a centre of hydrogen excellence. Many significant players in the hydrogen and fuel cell field have offices or headquarters in London, offering great potential for engagement. Furthermore, London’s academic expertise in hydrogen and fuel cells is already well established. It is likely that the establishment of centres of expertise for training and teaching in all aspects of the hydrogen economy would contribute significantly to London’s green economy, as skills shortage is a key supply side constraint on growth. Financial markets/legal and other professional bodies The concentration of finance companies in London offers significant opportunity to access investment, including venture capital. The same applies to the specialist legal profession (key to safeguarding intellectual property, for example). Size and density London is a large and densely populated city, and 800,000 more people are expected in London by 2016, fuelling massive demand for housing. The regeneration programmes that are in progress to cope with this expansion are among the largest in Europe, and there are considerable opportunities for hydrogen and fuel cells as part of sustainable construction, design and management of this new development. These include the 2012 Olympic Games, and the masterplanning and delivery of development in the Thames Gateway. Given the number of vehicles on London’s streets, only a small proportion is needed to develop the critical mass needed to support a network of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.