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Middlesbrough is the international focus of an enlightened way to produce energy following the announcement that a £200m development in the town will be the first in Europe to use a hydrogen fuel cell to power its marketing suite.

Sustainable community developer BioRegional Quintain will use the alternative fuel source at RiversideOne in the Middlehaven area of the Middlesbrough. Set to be the UK’s largest zero carbon development, RiversideOne will also create the country’s first truly sustainable community.

The establishment of the fuel cell was achieved in partnership with the Redcar-based Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) with support from regional development agency One NorthEast, Middlesbrough Borough Council and urban regeneration company Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR). All of the partners aim to demonstrate the practical application of fuel cells as a sustainable new energy source.

Pete Halsall, managing director of BioRegional Quintain, said: “RiversideOne is about the art of the possible. We believe that a renewable energy future is viable, and our application of hydrogen fuel cell technologies to provide power to the marketing suite is a testament to that. We are delighted to be the first developer in Europe to use a hydrogen fuel cell to power a marketing suite. I would like to thank the local partners in this venture as they have played a crucial role in realising this ambition.”

RiversideOne will transform a redundant waterfront quarter of Middlesbrough into a ground breaking landscape of contemporary architecture for living, work and leisure. Designed by award-winning visionary architect Will Alsop, it will include waterfront homes, offices and leisure facilities.

Jon Helliwell, project manager at the CPI’s fuel cell applications facility, said: “This collaboration between CPI and BioRegional Quintain will show that fuel cells can be used to provide power to domestic and residential buildings.

“This installation demonstrates power generation at the point of use using this low carbon technology and is one of several projects CPI is running in the Tees Valley. These include the crematorium, the lighthouse at South Gare and Bydales School. We are rapidly establishing CPI and the region as a fuel cell technology hub.”

The £500,000 marketing suite at RiversideOne will showcase the residential homes soon to be available for sale. The first building is called CIAC (Community in a Cube) and will comprise 80 fashionable apartments spread across eight floors.

Joe Docherty, chief executive of TVR said: “This project is a great example of what Middlehaven and the regeneration of the Tees Valley is all about. It is about the future – the way we will live tomorrow and creating truly sustainable projects like Middlehaven to secure the resources of the planet for future generations.

“Tees Valley Regeneration’s role is to attract the interest of ground-breaking companies such as BioRegional Quintain and the CPI and spread the word that the Tees Valley is a great place to live and do business.”

David Budd, executive member of Middlesbrough Council with responsibility for regeneration, said: “Middlesbrough has some innovative redevelopment projects, all of which need to be as sustainable as possible. The town is also working hard to be as green as possible.

“Every scheme which reduces carbon emissions is a step in the right direction, and proves to others that it can be done.”

CIAC will be the first of a number of futuristic residences to be built at RiversideOne. Featuring a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and luxury homes on its top floor, the cube will showcase innovations in building design and sustainability that BioRegional Quintain will deliver at RiversideOne.

A selection of CIAC properties will be released for sale in Spring 2008. However, potential residents can register their interest now or call the RiversideOne sales team on 0808 1722 430.