Organisation name: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Submitted: 09/06/2009 by b.biscoe@npt.gov.uk
- Organisation core business: Local Authority
- What will the project do?: Energy from Excess Industrial Hydrogen; The project will promote sustainable business growth and new business opportunities through the capture of surplus hydrogen produced by local industry and convert it to energy for vehicles and premises using developed and developing technologies, encouraging greater energy conservation and efficiency. The project addresses the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transport and conventional energy production, which is a fundamental part of Priority 4 Theme 1 and the cross-cutting Environmental Sustainability Theme. It also complements the other energy distribution and development projects in the area, enveloped in an Energy Valley concept around Port Talbot. Hydrogen used in combustion engines or fuel cells results in no direct CO2 emissions. It has been identified that large amounts of hydrogen are co-produced through industrial processes in the target area, much of which is currently wasted or inefficiently used. Hydrogen captured from these processes could be used to offset existing carbon based fuel for transport or stationary heat and power. Transport users could include Council vehicle fleets, bus operators and other private sector fleet operators, such as Royal Mail and others. The hydrogen could also be used in stationary fuel cells for large and small scale Combined Heat and Power units (CHP) for Council buildings, schools and new developments. The project will also develop a distribution network, and if feasible to do so, utilise existing redundant pipelines and new roads under development. The project will lead to new job creation in the development and deployment of hydrogen energy technology and play a role in securing existing jobs through improved energy efficiency of existing operations. The project will encompass areas of research and development and is complementary to proposals currently submitted to Priority 1 Theme 1 by the Low Carbon Research Institute, thus strengthening the R&D base and the links between business and academia as required by the operational strategy for this theme. In summary, the aim of this scheme is to reduce the use of fossil fuels by using readily available surplus hydrogen as an alternative. This will improve energy efficiency, reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles and premises in Neath Port Talbot and surrounding area, consequently reducing levels of pollution. It will also assist WAG in delivering its Energy Policy and the Green Jobs for Wales
- Regional area(s) to be covered by the project: South West Wales
- Who will be the end beneficiaries?: Private sector organisations (large, medium & small), Local Authorities, Public sector bodies. In particular, vehicle fleet operators and operators of buildings that would benefit through adoption of high quality hydrogen CHP. Beneficiaries may also include other types of organisation, including inward investment opportunities for fuel cell, engine and hydrogen technology developers.
- Who will be involved in delivering the project?: Neath Port Talbot CBC, Corus and the University of Glamorgan in partnership, and other stakeholders including academic institutions, fleet operators and others in the supply chain.
- What might be the outputs (activity measures) of the project?: Enterprises Assisted - up to 50, Collaborative R&D - 2, Number of renewable energy projects – up to 10
- What might be the results of the project?: Reduction in Carbon Footprint and the more efficient use of fossil fuels. Jobs created, Enterprises created, Renewable energy generated, Energy saved, Reduction in greenhouse emissions, New or improved products, processes or services launched; all to be assessed.
- What would the project's impact be?: A cleaner environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions, development of clean energy technologies and improved energy efficiency. Jobs created, enterprises created, increase in turnover, waste recovered, and sales of products, processes or services; all to be determined.
- What is the project estimated cost?: