Notice

Hydrogen BECCS Innovation Programme Phase 2: projects awarded funding

Updated 10 August 2023

The funding competition for Phase 2 of the Hydrogen BECCS Innovation Programme is now closed.

£26.2 million of funding was awarded for the project demonstration stage of the Programme, with up to £5 million of funding awarded per project.

The Phase 2 competition was open to all projects that successfully completed Phase 1 across 3 technology categories:

• feedstock pre-processing: the development of low cost, energy and material efficient technologies which will optimise biogenic (including biomass and waste) feedstocks for use in Advanced Gasification Technologies
• gasification components: the development of Advanced Gasification Technology components focusing on improving syngas quality and upgrading for generation of hydrogen
• novel biohydrogen technologies: the development of novel biohydrogen technologies which can be combined with carbon capture. such as dark fermentation, anaerobic digestion, waste water treatment

The funding enables 6 organisations, including 5 micro- and small- sized enterprises to deliver commercially viable hydrogen BECCS innovations across technology categories 2 and 3.

Further details on the funded projects can be found below.

Category 2: Gasification components

Micro-H2 Hub utilising biogenic feedstock for hydrogen and CO2 production

Led by Compact Syngas Solutions Limited

Compact Syngas Solutions Ltd (CCS) have developed an advanced gasification process in response to a call by government to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes. Hydrogen (H2) is seen as a clean energy fuel, with the ability to generate H2 from biogenic feedstocks via gasification, combined with carbon capture and storage significantly supports this objective.

Biogenic feedstock wastes are usually sent to landfill where the biogenic content degrades and emits carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. CSS propose that this type of waste material can be turned into a valuable gas (known as Syngas) which can then be used to produce H2, for use as a clean fuel.

Project objectives, deliverables and benefits:

• to demonstrate the use of water (rather than chemicals) as a method of removing CO2 from the gas mixture in syngas, such that the CO2 can be captured and then either (a) stored / sequestrated, or (b) purified and sold for use in an application where CO2 is used (such as manufacturing, packaging). By reducing the CO2 content in the syngas, then:
  • (i) the quality of the syngas is improved
  • (ii) it is easier to produce H2
  • (iii) the calorific value of H2 depleted syngas stream is raised making the operation of the gas engine and improving electricity generation efficiency
• to perform extended trial runs of 1000-hour of continuous operation, thereby raising the technology readiness of:
  • (a) the specific CO2 capture innovation closer to commercialisation
  • (b) that of the whole gasification process, and H2 production

High efficiency H2 and CO2 separation through pressurised water absorption

Led by KEW Projects Limited

The Hydrogen BECCS Phase 2 award will fund the demonstration of KEW’s carbon capture and fuel-cell vehicle grade Hydrogen production at KEW’s flagship advanced gasification facility, the Sustainable Energy Centre in the UK. The innovative solution, at its simplest, Pressurised Water Absorption (PWA) H2 -CO2 Separation is very similar to a SodaStream. Under pressure, CO2 is absorbed into the liquid, but the H2 is not and separation is achieved. As soon as the pressure of the CO2-rich liquid is reduced, the CO2 is released and can be captured. The pioneering hydrogen BECCS solution reduces energy consumption and avoids use of chemicals which will achieve very effective energy performances that will significantly improve the cost-effectiveness of producing Hydrogen from non-recyclable wastes or biomass.

This funding will help the end-to-end demonstration reference hours to validate the technology in a CO2 separation from H2 context, given there are no existing reference hours for this specific application. This will then enable the acceleration of the commercialisation and deployment of KEW’s emerging waste-to-hydrogen technology solution at a much lower Levelised Cost of Hydrogen.

An independent assessment of KEW’s GHG analysis for this scenario has an overall capture and savings of over 25,000 tonnes a year of CO2 per module producing over 1,000 tonnes a year of transport-grade hydrogen at fuel cell vehicle (FCV) purity of 99.97% (per the ISO 14687-2 standard). As the technology is modular, it can scale-up to suit the demand for hydrogen to above x10 modules enabling >250,000tpa CO2 savings a year too.

Category 3: Novel biohydrogen technologies

Design and demonstration of a waste biomass to biohydrogen production system

Led by CATAGEN Limited

As a net-zero business known for highly innovative, new technology solutions, CATAGEN is applying its proprietary recirculating-gas reactor technology to develop a cost-effective method of producing low-carbon biohydrogen. This approach can facilitate the early adoption of low-carbon hydrogen and greatly accelerate the route to a net zero hydrogen economy.

The production of hydrogen from sustainable biomass is a key challenge in the realisation of a hydrogen economy.

In Phase 1 of this project, CATAGEN developed an initial prototype – the ClimaHtech BIOHGEN reactor - and has proven the feasibility of a low-cost solution, capable of delivering high quantities of biohydrogen within the next few years. This is ahead of 2030 targets and in advance of widespread, low-cost green hydrogen production from electrolysis. CATAGEN’s novel approach requires less capital investment and much lower production costs, and discussions are underway with potential off-takers in heavy industry and mobility.

GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions are net zero with the bioCO2 produced being used to further displace fossil CO2 currently used in several industries such as carbonated beverage industry, food packaging or greenhouses for plant and crop production.

This Phase 2 funding and development of this low cost, effective technology, and the subsequent commercialisation offer the multiple benefits of low cost biohydrogen, fast ramp up of production, bioCO2 replacing fossil CO2 and all produced from what is currently a biomass waste product.

CATAGEN is also developing complementary technologies in hydrogen compression and e-fuel / advanced biofuel production to further its purpose to clean and decarbonise the air.

Pure Pyrolysis Refined

Led by Environmental Power International (UK R&D) Limited

Environmental Power International has developed a unique Pure Pyrolysis technology for the treatment of waste and other organic feedstocks. The key outputs are a high-quality fuel gas and a carbon rich char. Uniquely, heat is provided to the system by electricity, meaning that there is no combustion and therefore no emissions.

Residence time, temperature and pressure are precision controlled, enabling conversion of a wide range of feedstocks and manipulation of the outputs. The plant is modular, allowing installations to be sized to meet local requirements. The process is extremely efficient in terms of energy produced, relative to energy consumed.

The process has been developed in the UK and successfully trialled at full scale over more than 20 years. The technology has advanced through a number of R&D plants, but the focus to date has been on production of electricity and heat through means of gas engines. However, gas engines are relatively inefficient and produce emissions. The Hydrogen BECCS programme presented EPi with the opportunity to focus on producing hydrogen with zero emissions.

Phase 1 involved extensive laboratory tests combined with comprehensive g-Proms modelling, modifying the process for hydrogen production and carbon capture. The integrated design incorporates three subsystems: The EPi Pyrolyser, Gas Refinery and Plasma Torches. The high levels of hydrogen produced combined with the capture of carbon in solid form, make the EPi solution highly attractive, both commercially and environmentally. In Phase 2 the solution will be demonstrated on a site near Ipswich.

H2Boost

Led by The Biorenewables Development Centre Limited

The H2Boost consortium will produce biohydrogen by integrating an advanced oxidation (Biobooster) and enzymatic pretreatment of underutilised bio-based feedstocks for conversion to bio-hydrogen by dark fermentation (DF), combined with down-stream processing of by-products via microbial CO2 capture and storage.

DF by-products, namely CO2 and digestate, are used as substrates for algal propagation and anaerobic digestion (AD) to achieve a closed-loop system for enhanced biomethane yield and carbon capture and storage (CCS). This multi-step process aims to create a technology that is financially viable and environmentally sustainable.

Optimisation of the Biobooster process and microbial inocula will be advanced from current proven capability to maximise biohydrogen outputs. H2Boost will use advances in molecular analysis to identify and quantify DF microbial communities leading to higher hydrogen yields through enrichment of H2-producing microorganisms.

H2Boost will deliver a demonstration scale facility including feedstock pretreatments, DF, AD, hydrogen separation, and CCS using microalgae / cyanobacteria. Hydrogen will be refined to a standard suitable for use in fuel cells for transport.

The H2Boost objectives and deliverables will contribute to the decarbonisation of the transport sector which contributed to 16% of 2019 domestic GHG emissions. The project combines expertise from academia and industry with support from external advisors on feedstock pre-treatment, fermentation, microbial analysis, downstream processing, technoeconomic and life cycle analysis. The integrated process developed by H2Boost partners will offer a novel reliable source of UK-produced low-carbon biohydrogen and high-value products with market applications such as biofertiliser and biofuel reducing reliance on imports and creating new export opportunities.

The sustainable biogas, graphene and hydrogen LOOP Phase 2

Led by United Utilities Water Limited

Our project will provide a completely sustainable feed source for the production of hydrogen and graphene. By adopting biogas from the treatment of wastewater as the feed material to the Levidian LOOP process we will be able to provide a resource efficient and continuous supply of a fuel source, hydrogen, and a means of carbon capture and storage, graphene. By using this continuously available feed material we are opening up opportunities for multiple industries to become carbon neutral and supporting the UK government in achieving a viable and sustainable hydrogen economy and their targets for net zero carbon.

The UK water industry produces 489 million m3 of biogas per year from its anaerobic digestion processes. This biogas is generally used for the production of heat and power for operational uses and providing gas to the grid. The patented LOOP technology provides water companies with the opportunity to support other industries in the quest for decarbonisation whilst also maximising the value of biogas for customers through the exploration of different circular economy applications. The hydrogen and graphene produced within the LOOP process has the potential to fuel transportation, heat homes and offices through a hydrogen network and provide concrete strengthening within the construction industry amongst other uses.

By combining the technical know-how of Levidian, the biogas resource available from United Utilities and expertise in carbon lifecycle analysis and commercialisation from our supply chain, our consortium has the knowledge and experience required to implement the construction and operation of a demonstration LOOP.