London advances alternative fuel sector

LONDON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Fuel cells and hydrogen for use in the transport sector will help South Wales and the rest of Britain advance clean-energy ambitions, officials said.

Philip Hunt, the British energy minister, announced a decision to create a Low Carbon Economic Area in South Wales.

As part of the LCEA, the University of Glamorgan said it would invest $9.8 million to develop multi-fuel filing stations.

"Cleaning up our energy supply and the fuel we use for transport will give the U.K. the opportunity to develop the low carbon industries of the future," said Hunt. "Fuel cells and hydrogen can play a key role in cutting CO2 emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels."

Britain is struggling with declining reserves in the North Sea, forcing London to look for alternative resources.

The university will use part of a federal grant to build fueling stations at its campus and enhance existing hydrogen centers.

Hunt said the British government issued $780 million in grants to develop hydrogen, natural gas and biogas refueling stations. A program for recharge stations for electric cars is included in the grant program.