Stonehouse-based firm Progressive Energy Ltd, in partnership with Advanced Biofuel Solutions in Swindon, is to receive £4.75 million in government funding for a plant that can convert gas from household waste into low carbon hydrogen for use in the transport industry.

The Biohydrogen Greenhouse Gas Removal Demonstration Project, undertaken by Advanced Biofuel Solutions, Progressive Energy Ltd and University College London, will convert household waste into biohydrogen for use in the transport sector.

Andy Cornell, CEO of Advanced Biofuel Solutions said: "Our plant in Swindon can produce 40 tonnes of biohydrogen per year, while capturing more than 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The RadGas process is unique in that it produces low-carbon biofuels by capturing the carbon dioxide contained in the waste feedstock, generating negative emissions which are critical in achieving net zero."

The plant in Swindon deploys ABSL's patented RadGas technology, converting waste into a high-quality synthesis gas using a fluidised bed gasifier and plasma tar reformer.

The syngas is converted into biohydrogen and purified using a conventional pressure swing adsorption system. Additionally, the project will pilot the use of a Sorption Enhanced Water Gas Shift system (SEWGS) that combines hydrogen production and carbon capture in single, highly efficient, unit.

A spokesperson for Progressive Energy said: "This ABSL-led project is a significant area of technical development because the production of biohydrogen is not only valuable in its own right, but has the potential to enable early and significant contributions to greenhouse gas reductions via negative emissions."

Dr. Massimiliano Materazzi, principal research fellow at UCL said: "At UCL, we are committed to clean and sustainable processes to reduce impact to the environment. We are developing next generation cutting edge technologies to train future engineers and, at the same time, we work closely with industries to move innovation from laboratory to industrial settings."

"This project will be a great opportunity to demonstrate carbon negative technologies at industrially relevant scale."

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: "This £54 million government investment announced today will help establish a greenhouse gas removal industry in the UK, which could be worth billions to our economy, bringing in private investment and supporting the creation of new green jobs."