Public happy with hydrogen

Research from Salford University has shown that the general public is better informed about and more receptive to hydrogen fuels and other green energy ideas than policy-makers believe.

The four-year, £405,400 study investigated hydrogen production and consumption sites in Wales, Teesside and London, and gauged local public opinion and that of government agencies and industry.

Another £120,000 project for the Department for Transport has also looked at the view on hydrogen energy in transport among potential users in Norwich, Sheffield and Southampton, areas which do not have embryonic hydrogen developments.

Sociology Professors Rob Flynn and Paul Bellaby led the research team. Flynn said: ‘Many policy makers assume that the public are ill-informed about, and resistant to, measures to prevent climate change and, as a result, tend to exclude them when developing policy.

‘Through systematic research we've discovered that this is not the case. Many people see hydrogen technology as an opportunity to regenerate their communities, reduce carbon emissions and live more sustainably. They want to be involved from the start so that any concerns or suggestions can be taken into account.’