FUTURE ENERGY TRIAL - HYDROGEN

The UK MOD wishes to increase the capability of the future cars and vans white fleet through a trial of innovative renewable energy sources using a trial of hydrogen fuelled vehicles at various UK locations. The equipment and hydrogen powered vehicles used during the trial and any potential follow-on activity will be an experiment to gain experience in the use of hydrogen and inform any follow-on associated MT or infrastructure activity.

To trial hydrogen vehicles, of the type determined by the SRT will be provided under an agreement from the existing Phoenix II contract.

The trial should:

a. Use hydrogen as an automotive fuel.

b. Use hydrogen powered vehicles to include cars and vans. May include other vehicle types using industry standard connections.

c. Handling and sourcing of hydrogen. Provide an assessment of the use of hydrogen as a green fuel, to understand the availability of green hydrogen or the next best ‘green’ option. This assessment would also include future hydrogen sources. Equipment setup, maintenance, and training to be given on equipment as required.

d. In addition to the trial, the supplier will be required to provide suitable open access software to allow the monitoring of the remote stations and monitor fuel consumption. To provide remote support service to aid the user experience and help with any diagnostic activity.

e. Government Furnished Assets will be used under this contract, as provided by the Phoenix II contract.

The outcome will be a trial that:

a. Tests hydrogen powered vehicles. To test if it offers capability options for MOD to deliver the aims of the next white fleet contract due in be let by 2024.The trial in addition to testing normal MT characteristics of range and costs, there are some specific tests required and they are set by the Sustainable Road Transport team, and cover such areas as range, power, fuel cost and asset costs compared to BEV. The trial will also report on carrying capacity limitations or any other limitations such as reliability and usage rates.

b. Tests logistic use of hydrogen. With learnings expected to cover, siting board, refueler operation, refueler deploybility options, fuel quality issues and availability.

c. Demonstrate that it reduces the reliance on the at-risk electrical infrastructure on the MOD estate while maintaining or increasing the capability and availability of an asset.

d. References and is consistent with HM Government, other Government Departments and MOD strategies where appropriate. Additional information: Delivery timescales will be finalised during development of the competition pack and SoR. The following is the initial indication of the expected timescale for the delivery of the required output.

a. Initial findings (end of Phase 1) by 4 weeks from date of delivery of equipment.

b. Final Report by 6 months from the date of delivery of the equipment.