What is the technology?
Fundamentals:
A revolutionary large-scale mechanical hydrogen electrolyser delivering the potential to transform industrial hydrogen production by:
The ability to scavenge energy, e.g. waste heat/pressure from combustion-based power generation
The ability to scavenge waste electricity from intermittent energy sources e.g. wind turbines and solar to create truly green hydrogen for storage.
Benefits:
Storage of energy when the grid is unable to accept/distribute renewables
Flexibility of energy capture for conversation and storage and later use
Fewer rare materials in manufacture
Green solution 40% more cost effective than PEM eletrolysers
Less complex support and maintenance.
Markets:
Electrolyser sales for:
Renewable energy storage e.g. wind & solar to hydrogen to gas grid
Hydrogen fuel stations for fuel cell vehicles
Steam reformation replacement in industrial hydrogen production
Steam reformation in gas sales alone, (conversion of NG to hydrogen) is currently $117.4bn
https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/steam-methane-reforming-market
This market has significant issues with emissions, efficiency and cost.
Potential collaborating partner for Co2 capture which when combined with Hydrogen would provide onboard Methanol production within the maritime industry.
https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/news/methanol-as-a-scalable-zero-emission-fuel
Current Status
Following the successful 5-stage prototype building program HPGS is now participating in an EPSRC scaling programme in collaboration with Nottingham, Newcastle and Reading Universities. Further investigation is also underway into the technologies suitability and application for use in the Marine propulsion systems environment, and in particular the spark-injection of hydrogen to enhance combustion of ammonia base fuels.
Academic input into the project includes the following personnel and their respective expertise:
Prof Alasdair Cairns (PI) Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Powertrain Research Centre at Nottingham
Prof Gavin Walker (CI) Director of both the Energy Technologies Research Institute at UoN and the new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Hydrogen
Dr Jon McKechnie (CI) Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Associate Director of the Green Chemicals Research Beacon of Excellence
Prof Keith Scott (CI) Professor of Electrochemical Engineering at Newcastle University
Dr Mohamed Mamlouk (CI) Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University
Dr Phil Coker (CI) Associate Professor in Sustainable Energy Systems
Dr Ben Potter (CI) Associate Professor of Energy Systems.