The fuel cell is designed to be integrated into domestic central heating where it acts instead of a pilot light to turn a boiler into a mini-generator that produces energy as well as heat, providing homes with energy at a fraction of the carbon dioxide emissions.

The system is expected to produce carbon dioxide savings of 30-50% and is sure to be popular with the clean-energy conscious European marketplace. The fuel cell is able to be powered by hydrogen and natural gas and does not need the costly platinum catalyst demanded by most fuel cell designs.

“We have beaten critical industry benchmarks on four fronts at once: power output, integration, durability and manufacture,” said Ceres technology officer Nigel Brandon.

“Our customers will recognise these dramatic results as key achievements on the road to unlocking global mass markets.”