New research exploring how space technology could support cleaner energy development is underway in the North East.
A partnership between Teesside University and Northallerton-based space technology company AmbaSat Ltd has landed a €250,000 contract from the European Space Agency to explore how satellites could help monitor green hydrogen projects.
Over the next 12 months, the team will look at developing a hydrogen monitoring service for industrial and remote sites, using ground-based sensors, robust communications and cloud-based reporting to keep track of safety and performance.
The project aims to support the safe production, storage and distribution of hydrogen, a key part of the UK’s drive towards net zero.
Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: "This is exciting research that can play an important role in an industry that’s so important for our area and indeed the country.
"It’s no surprise to see the university and local businesses at the forefront of innovation and emerging tech."
The contract comes through a European Space Agency programme that backs real-world business uses of space technology and aims to strengthen local supply chains.
The planned system would allow data to be sent and sites to be monitored even in places where normal phone or internet signals are poor or unreliable.
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Martin Platt, chief executive officer of AmbaSat Ltd, said: "Hydrogen is clearly going to play an important role in the wider energy transition, but it also brings practical challenges around monitoring, reporting and confidence in day-to-day operations.
"Our focus is on something practical, credible and commercially relevant."
The study will combine the university’s research expertise with the company’s experience in space-enabled environmental monitoring.
Professor Kumar Patchigolla, of Teesside University, said: "This project brings together applied research and operational service development in a very constructive way.
"The feasibility study will allow us to examine the sensing approach, system integration and real-world requirements in more detail, while also considering the wider commercial and regulatory context in which such a service would need to operate."
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