Source of hydrogen for existing and new fleet of hydrogen busses
Request ID: FOI-0679-2122 Date published: 29 July 2021
You asked
Good afternoon,
Would be able to provide information on the current source of the hydrogen used to fuel TfLs fleet of hydrogen busses, and an indication of future plans (if any) on how TfL plans to reduce the C02 footprint of the procured hydrogen.
Information that would be helpful would include: Names of the supplier(s), how it is produced (e.g. using natural gas or coal, electrolysis) and how it reaches the TfL depots from the point of production (e.g. by sea and then road). Any information on how you measure and assess the true carbon footprint of the busses would be helpful - for example if you have controls in your procurement process of the carbon intensity of the hydrogen.
The purpose of this is to understand the actual emissions of the hydrogen fleet as the supply chain needs to be considered, and future plans to reduce the emissions of the supply chain.
Kind regards,
We answered
TfL Ref: EIR-0679-2122 Thank you for your request of 2nd July 2021 asking for information about hydrogen fuelled buses. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. Specifically you asked: “Would be able to provide information on the current source of the hydrogen used to fuel TfLs fleet of hydrogen busses, and an indication of future plans (if any) on how TfL plans to reduce the C02 footprint of the procured hydrogen. Information that would be helpful would include: Names of the supplier(s), how it is produced (e.g. using natural gas or coal, electrolysis) and how it reaches the TfL depots from the point of production (e.g. by sea and then road). Any information on how you measure and assess the true carbon footprint of the busses would be helpful - for example if you have controls in your procurement process of the carbon intensity of the hydrogen.” I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below: Question 1: Names of the supplier(s)? NEL Hydrogen. Question 2: how it is produced (e.g. using natural gas or coal, electrolysis). It is produced through chlor-alkali electrolysis (which is used to create Chlorine from Sodium Chloride for industrial chemicals - one of the by-products of this process is hydrogen that would otherwise be wasted). Question 3: how it reaches the TfL depots from the point of production (e.g. by sea and then road). By road. Question 4: Any information on how you measure and assess the true carbon footprint of the busses would be helpful - for example if you have controls in your procurement process of the carbon intensity of the hydrogen. Well-to-tank emissions of bids were evaluated as part of procurement process using methodology published by DEFRA. Bids had to achieve (as a minimum) a carbon reduction over the current incumbent vehicle type used on the bus route, Euro VI diesel hybrid, and were scored upon the level ofemission generated, hence the winning bid being green hydrogen. If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely, David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
