A NORTH-EAST business has scored a world first by designing a fuel cell to power one of the region's lighthouses.

The historic South Gare lighthouse, at the mouth of the River Tees, leads to one of the busiest ports in the UK and is an exposed and hostile location.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), based at Wilton on Teesside, has worked with its partners to design and test the fuel cell to withstand the rigours of use at the lighthouse.

The South Gare site is regularly lashed by high winds and rough seas but the lighthouse, built in 1884, plays a pivotal role in the success of Teesport - one of the UK's three busiest ports with 6,000 ship arrivals each year and handling 50m tonnes of cargo.

The hydrogen fuel cell has been powering the South Gare light, which can be seen from 25 miles out to sea, for several months.

Nigel Perry, CPI's chief executive, said: "The use of the fuel cell at South Gare is a big step forward, as we have had to develop a special unit to withstand this demanding location.

"Due to the fact that fossil fuels are limited and will run out at some point, and because of their possible contribution to climate change, we must work hard to find other viable energy solutions.

"We have proved at South Gare that fuel cells can operate in critical applications."

Fuel cells are similar to conventional batteries. But, unlike batteries, they can supply full power as long as their fuel supply is maintained. The only product from a hydrogen fuel cell is pure water.

The South Gare fuel cell is powered by hydrogen, which can be made in a sustainable manner from wind, wave, tidal or solar power via electrolysis. The fuel cell itself does not emit any greenhouse gases.

Andrew Ridley, conservancy operations manager for PD Ports, said: "The implementation of a hydrogen fuel cell to power the South Gare lighthouse demonstrates how such new and innovative energy sources can be used to power critical safety aids in a hostile environment, whilst delivering both environmental and economic benefits."

Mark Pearson, energy and process innovation manager at One NorthEast, said: "The successful development of this fuel cell is excellent. It's a world first and the knock-on effect for the energy sector as a whole could be massive."