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Welsh bid to create low carbon technology centre for transport
publication date: Dec 5, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Wales
will have a new low carbon technology centre if Hardstaff Group win support for
developing their 93 acres site at Dynevor Arms, Merthyr
Tydfil where they expect to employ over 50 people.
Welsh
Government Minister for Business Enterprise, Technology and Science, Mrs Edwina
Hart visited Dynevor Arms to learn about their innovations in low carbon
vehicle technology and alternative fuels.
The Group
is now entering into a new phase of development of their 93 acre liquefied
natural gas processing plant acquired from National Grid 18 months ago. |  | The
Minister was greeted by Trevor Fletcher, Managing Director of The Hardstaff
Group and the hour long visit included a presentation including an introduction
to the Group, the technology, and finally a discussion on the future vision and
plans for the site.
Also
present was Ciaran O'Conchuir and Tony King from Hardstaff, Tim Williams from
the Welsh Automotive Forum and Ian Mitchard from the Welsh Government and WAF.
The
Minister welcomed the opportunity to hear about the company's proposals to
develop the site as a low carbon technology centre and said afterwards, "It
is always good to hear of companies expanding their operations into Wales,
bringing new technologies here with the potential to create new job
opportunities which is high on the Welsh Government's agenda.
"The
projects are closely aligned to the low carbon strategies in two of our
priority sectors - Advanced Materials and Manufacturing and Energy and
Environment and I am pleased my officials are working closely with the
Hardstaff Group to help take their innovative projects forward."
The
company showcased their Hardstaff Oil-Ignition Gas-Injection (OIGI®) system, a
patented combustion technology which simultaneously burns two fuels, fossil or renewable
natural gas and diesel. Diesel is required as the ignition source with gas
injection commencing when speed increases from idle.
This
system, which receives full support from major OEM's, helps benefit the
environment by cutting CO2 engine emissions by approximately 16-20% - double
when using Bio-Methane - as well as significant reductions in all other
tail-pipe pollutants. The technology is now being adopted in Europe, Scandinavia and further afield.
In the
short-term Hardstaff intends to re-engineer HGVs at the Dynevor site to operate
using their award winning technology, thereby supporting their Nottingham based production facility. Future plans to
develop the site as a Low Carbon Technology Centre will support Wales low
carbon agenda and help the local economy by job creation and involving local
partners.
"Since
Hardstaff acquired Dynevor, the Welsh Automotive Forum has provided great
support, particularly Ian Mitchard, on secondment from the Welsh Government,
and the organisation has afforded Hardstaff opportunities to work within the
Governments Low Carbon Agenda." commented Tony King, Project Manager for the
Hardstaff Group.
Trevor
Fletcher said, "We were extremely honoured that Edwina Hart visited our site
today. As a family business with a history spanning 150 years, it was a
pleasure to present our leading-edge technology and future plans to the
Minister."
MAKING A POINT: The Minister studies an aerial view of the Hardstaff Group site with MD Trevor Fletcher (above).
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