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| Reference Number | NIA_WWU_2_64 | |
| Title | ALCHEM - (Advanced Low Carbon Hydrogen and Energy Management) | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources (Bio-Energy, Other bio-energy) 10%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Hydrogen, Hydrogen production) 90%; |
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| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2024 | |
| End Date | 31 March 2025 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £446,480 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | Wales | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WWU_2_64 |
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| Objectives | This is the second phase of the project, that originally delivered via SIF Discovery SIF_WWU_3_2 (3). This project was successfully completed and proved that by halving the energy required to produce hydrogen, biomass electrolysis drastically reduces the cost to produce green hydrogen to1.7/kg, compared to the status quo today of4.4 - 8/kg.Due to partner requirements for SIF Alpha the project was unable to progress, however the feedback from UKRI on the project was very positive with the monitoring officer statingAbsolutely fantastic project with novel technological scope. Thinking has been done around commercial innovation and there is a clear understanding of future, including partners, activities, and deliverables. Unfortunately, they will not be pursuing Alpha due to a requirement they cannot meet but hope to reapply into Beta.The ALCHEM project will employ a comprehensive technical approach to validate the commercial feasibility of biomass electrolysis technology. The method comprises the following key steps:Biomass Feedstock Sourcing and Preparation:Identify and source appropriate biomass waste from industrial partners.Preprocess the biomass to understand composition, batch variability, and contaminants for electrolysis suitability.Experimental Setup:Develop and set up a pre-industrial pilot biomass electrolysis unit in a relevant environment.Integrate the unit with necessary monitoring and control systems to ensure accurate data collection.Electrolysis Process:Conduct electrolysis using the prepared biomass under controlled conditions.Optimise process parameters to maximise hydrogen yield and co-product (CO2) purity considering electrode materials, catalyst recovery, and pressure.Data Collection and Analysis:Collect data on energy consumption, hydrogen and CO2 production rates, purity, and other relevant metrics.Analyse data to assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the process.Techno-Economic Modelling:Validate the techno-economic model to project the costs and benefits of scaling up the technology.Use model outputs to compare biomass electrolysis with conventional hydrogen production methods.Data Quality StatementThe project will ensure data quality through the following measures:Data Integrity:Implement automated data logging systems to minimise human error.Use calibrated and certified instruments to ensure accurate measurements.Data Storage:Store all collected data, including raw and processed datasets, in a secure cloud database to ensure resilient storage and remote access.Maintain comprehensive metadata records to provide context and facilitate future access.Data Validation:Perform regular quality checks and cross-validation against reference standards.Engage third-party auditors to verify data accuracy and integrity.Measurement Quality StatementTo meet data quality objectives, the project will adopt the following measurement approach:Standardised Procedures:Use standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all experimental activities to ensure consistency.Document all experimental setups, methodologies, and calibration routines.Techniques and Tools:Employ high-precision sensors and analytical instruments to measure key parameters.Traceability and Accuracy:Maintain detailed records of all measurements and calibrations to ensure traceability.Implement redundancy in data collection to enhance accuracy and address any anomalies.Use event driven data capture and storage to ensure full traceability between events.Comparability of Results:Benchmark results against on-site green hydrogen production using commercial-standard water electrolyser.Ensure transparency by making data, methodologies, and findings available for review by Wales & West Utilities.By following this rigorous methodological framework, the ALCHEM project aims to generate reliable, high-quality data that can support the commercialisation of biomass electrolysis technology.The project is rated low in the common assessment framework detailed in the ENIP document after assessing the total project value, the progression through the TRL levels, the number of project delivery partners and the high level of data assumptions. No additional peer review is required for this project. WP1: Biomass pretreatment experimental developmentScale a consistent and efficient biomass pretreatment process that enhances the yield and quality of biomass feedstock for electrolysis.Run a 100L thermal reactor continuously to breakdown the biomass to feed into the biomass electrolyser with successful validation through repeated experiments.WP2: Biomass electrolysis experimental developmentDevelop a pre-industrial pilot scale biomass electrolysis unit that operates reliably and efficiently, producing hydrogen at a lower energy cost compared to water electrolysis.Produce 1 kgH2/day at >99% purity at a minimum 300 mA/cm2 current density running at 1.2 V. Demonstrate consistent operation over multiple test cycles and compare directly against a traditional electrolyser at the same scale.WP3: CO2 Co-Product SeparationEfficiently separate and measure CO2 as a valuable co-product of the biomass electrolysis process.Achieve a CO2 purity level of at least 90%. Validate the CO2 separation process through analytical testing.WP4: Carbon Impact Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)Conduct a comprehensive third-party LCA that quantifies the carbon footprint and environmental benefits of the biomass electrolysis process.Commission a detailed LCA report showing a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional hydrogen production methods, targeting a reduction of at least 95% with a potential of a carbon-negative process if the CO2 is stored.WP5: Validated Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA)Develop and validate a robust TEA model that accurately assesses the economic viability of biomass electrolysis at scale, taking into consideration upstream sourcing costs and any downstream product purification and pressurisation.Produce a TEA report demonstrating cost-competitiveness with traditional methods, achieving a projected cost of1.7/kg for green hydrogen and80/tonne for CO2.WP6: Safety AssessmentsConduct thorough safety assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards associated with the biomass electrolysis process.Complete comprehensive safety assessment reports meeting all relevant safety standards and regulations. Implement risk mitigation strategies that result in no significant safety incidents during the project.WP7: Feedstock supplier and offtaker partnershipsShortlist the most suitable potential biomass feedstock suppliers and offtakers at industrial pilot scale and speak with several companies to understand viability. The ALCHEM project aims to advance the commercial feasibility of biomass electrolysis technology. | |
| Abstract | The UK Hydrogen Strategy emphasises the pivotal role of low carbon hydrogen in achieving net-zero targets, especially in challenging sectors like heavy industry, transportation, and power. Ambitious government targets aim to deliver 2GW of low carbon hydrogen by 2025 and 10GW by 2030.The only mature technology for producing green hydrogen (no carbon emissions) is water electrolysis, which uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This technology is not only incredibly energy intensive, but also has difficulty using intermittent power such as from wind/solar.The project addresses both of these challenges through innovative biomass electrolysis technology, which uses liquid waste biomass to produce green hydrogen and green chemicals. Overall this could reduce costs of future upgrades by aiding decision making through evidence-based analysis of gas user requirements and energy flows across the network. | |
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| Added to Database | 09/04/25 | |
