University of Birmingham
The Centre for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Research
Research, development and demonstration of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies for a more sustainable energy future.
About the Centre
The Centre for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Research - University of Birmingham
The Birmingham Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research was formed in early 2000 by Professor Kevin Kendall, who later secured £5 million in funding from EPSRC to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications. Professor Robert Steinberger-Wilckens was appointed Director in 2012 and secured a further £4.4 million in EPSRC funding to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in Fuel Cells and their Fuels, alongside additional support from European Union-funded projects.
The Centre is nationally and internationally recognised for its expertise in fuel cell technologies. Its work spans research and development, applications, and demonstrations of fuel cell and hydrogen systems. By combining practical engineering with ambitious research, the Centre contributes to solutions for sustainable cities, energy and transportation.
Its research covers the full spectrum of fuel cells and their fuels, including hydrogen as a future energy vector, sustainable hydrogen production, storage, commercial utilisation, and the efficient provision of electricity and heat from fuel cells.
Explore the Centre's educational programmes
People and collaboration
A multidisciplinary research community
The Centre brings together researchers, students and collaborators working across fuel cells, hydrogen technologies, materials, electrochemistry and energy systems. This shared expertise supports research from fundamental materials development through to practical technology demonstration.
Research in practice
From materials to working systems
Experimental facilities support the development and evaluation of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, including materials testing, cell performance assessment and work towards more efficient energy conversion.
Hydrogen mobility
Taking fuel-cell technology on the road
The group has a Toyota Mirai powered by a fuel cell, which is used for travel between the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus and the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre (BEIC). The BEIC is home to a hydrogen refuelling station, helping support practical experience with hydrogen-powered transport and its refuelling infrastructure.