Hampshire-based firm Barnbrook Systems Ltd is joining forces with Protium to enhance safety measures making green hydrogen.

The firms will look to utilise remote sensing technology to monitor safety whilst the UK shifts towards cleaner energy.

This technology will be beneficial for industries and transport sectors making the transition.

The collaboration was revealed at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, the 14th consecutive participation of near 50-staff Barnbrook.

Hydrogen, like other fuels, can be dangerous because it has a wide flammable range. To combat this, Barnbrook has crafted a BlueDot remote-sensing gadget.

Attached to each hydrogen canister, BlueDot feeds real-time data, keeping an eye out for shifting variables such as pressure, temperature, or humidity.

It ensures safe refilling of the pressure containers at Pioneer 1, Protium’s hydrogen production facility (HPF), and maintains checks during their transport and deployment in South Wales.

Protium now intends to open a second HPF in Wales in late 2024, introducing a notably larger 2.5Mw electrolyser to cater to different sectors.

This new electrolyser is predicted to produce a tonne of green hydrogen daily, marking a substantial increase from its predecessor.

The partnership, announced at the Airshow, was attended by Mr Barnett, Mr Constable and Kathryn Clamp, Barnbrook business development executive.

Kathryn Clamp, also director of KC4business Ltd, played a crucial role in facilitating discussions between Andrew and Jon on the collaboration.

Andrew Barnett, managing director of Barnbrook Systems, said: "We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Protium and use this market-leading digital technology to advance the safety and use of green hydrogen.

"We believe that green hydrogen is a gamechanger for many organisations in the race to meet the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target."

Jon Constable, Protium’s chief operating officer, said: "We are developing projects at pace for customers, and digital technologies, such as BlueDot, are critical in advancing safety and continuous improvements in the design, optimisation and operation of our plants.

"It’s great to work with a likeminded company like Barnbrook that recognises green hydrogen’s critical role in the energy transition."