The development and upscaling of renewable hydrogen sources are a prerequisite if the UK is to effectively help solve the energy ‘trilemma’ of reducing emissions from electricity generation, improving security of supply and reducing costs. Hydrogen is seen as an alternative clean energy source to replace polluting traditional fuels however, 95 % of the world's hydrogen is derived from non-renewable fuels. Alternative renewable sources of hydrogen are required. This feasibility project brings academia and industry together to develop a combined biological / electrochemical process to convert animal and human waste to renewable hydrogen. It will focus on removing technical barriers which are limiting scale up and commercialisation. Success will lead to significant electricity generation from abundant, low value, potentially polluting waste streams and the development of the process will open the way for the technology to be exploited in other overseas markets and other industry sectors such as food manufacturing and processing.

Working with a collaborative partnership including Midland Pig Producers, RAFT Solutions Ltd, 4C Engineering, Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, and the universities of Newcastle and Cranfield, we will develop a working prototype for sustainable high welfare intensive pig houses integrated with renewable energy generation. The project will develop new techniques and develop existing information from the USA and from human waste and ventilation management to introduce innovative civil, chemical and mechanical engineering solutions to livestock housing. By the end of this 36 month project, we aim to develop commercial products / services for intensive pig housing to include the delivery of manipulable materials to slatted floor systems for the first time to maximize health and welfare and improve feed conversion rates. We aim to develop the innovative use of circular energy management systems to re-use waste heat for associated businesses e.g. herb or salad growing, or for other commercial or residential applications, whilst minimizing carbon usage, gas emissions and lowering odours produced by pig production. Thus intensive, efficient yet high welfare pig units can be built across the world.