Public Funding for Bpe Design and Support LTD.

To realise the potential of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is recognised that flexible energy storage is required; ideally for long periods of time, even seasonally. The production of renewable combustible gases such as synthetic methane is an emerging technology that can bridge that gap. Synthetic methane is synthesised by an innovative biomethanation process using hydrogen produced by electrolysis and carbon dioxide from sources such as water treatment, anaerobic digestion and industrial processes. Rapid response electrolysis provides a means of balancing intermittent renewable generation and solving electricity grid frequency problems arising from their increasing use. The UK gas infrastructure has the capacity to store and distribute over three times the energy distributed by the electricity network and represents an underutilised asset for the storage of renewable energy. Synthetic methane production is unique in being able to link the electricity and gas networks as a means of balancing renewable energy production, provide long-term storage of energy, decarbonising the largest source of heat in the UK and improve security of supply.

Nitrogen fertilisers provide essential nutrients for crop growth. World consumption in 2010 was 105m tonnes, in 2013 the total value was £1.6bn. The price is determined by the cost of natural gas which is linked to the price of oil. To maximise yield nitrogen fertilisers contain ammonia or urea, (made from ammonia & CO2). Ammonia made from natural gas is responsible for 5% of global natural gas consumption (2% of world energy). Recent work has shown that it is feasible to produce ammonia using renewable energy, using hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water and nitrogen captured from air. The project will design and build a pilot scale system on a UK farm for ammonia production and urea synthesis. By producing fertiliser at the point of use, it will be possible to decentralise fertiliser production, negating energy use to dry product for transport, reduce GHG emissions associated with production and transport, improve UK food security and provide valuable export revenues.