Go Green Gas
Otto Simon Ltd • December 5, 2016
Otto Simon is working with Advanced Plasma Power to develop a BioSNG technology
Otto Simon is working with Advanced Plasma Power to develop a BioSNG technology that has the potential to use waste to generate 100TWh of bio-synthetic natural gas each year if deployed nationwide.
BioSNG can be used in existing appliances, such as boilers and cookers, as well as for transport and represents a potential for decarbonising the energy system. Whilst the power generation sector has made huge progress towards decarbonisation in recent years, decarbonising heat and transport – worth 74% of energy usage – has proved a more stubborn challenge, and is an established government priority.
This pioneering technology, which has the potential meet one third of the UK’s domestic heat requirements, has been proven in a pilot plant developed by National Grid, Advanced Plasma Power and Progressive Energy. Otto Simon is now working with the team to design and construct the commercial scale demonstration plant in Swindon. Set to begin operation in 2018, the plant will convert 10,000 tonnes of waste from the local area into 22GWh of BioSNG, enough to heat 1,500 homes or fuel 75 trucks. Utilising this waste, which would otherwise be sent to landfill, will help to reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses by 5,000 tonnes per annum.
Speaking at the GoGreenGas launch event last week - which hosted more than 100 guests, including representative from project partners, associated industries and MPs - Rolf Stein, CEO of Advanced Plasma Power said that APP is “delighted to be commencing construction of the world’s first commercial gasification plant to produce green gas from household waste. As our technology matures we will be able to convert waste into fuels cost competitively with fossil fuels, helping to achieve an affordable, secure and sustainable low carbon future.”
The £25m facility has been part funded by an £11m grant from the Department for Transport’s Advance Biofuels competition, as well as Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition and project partners. Transport Minister John Hayes said that “Biofuels have an important role to play in keeping Britain moving and will deliver cleaner, greener fuels. Thanks to our £11 million investment this Swindon plant will help make significant carbon savings and deliver a boost to the technology. Advanced biofuels have the potential to save at least 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the equivalent fossil fuel – and Advanced Plasma Power are at the forefront of this pioneering technology.”
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