CECCU (CHP exhaust carbon capture and utilisation)

CECCU (CHP exhaust carbon capture and utilisation)

Amount awarded: £3,189,550

Led by:  Severn Trent Water

Partners:  Brunel University, United Utilities, Southern Water

The water sector has a long history of renewable energy generation, significantly reducing reliance on grid-imported electricity, benefitting the environment, and keeping customer bills low. To extract the renewable energy, biogas is combusted in Combined Heat and Power engines (CHP), and this releases unavoidable CO2 emissions.  Severn Trent Water (STW) working with Clarke Energy and Carbon Capture Machine, will develop a new technology to reduce and reuse CO2 emissions from CHPs.  By demonstrating this first-of-its-kind technology on an industrial scale at a STW site in Derby, carbon will be removed and converted into useful eco-friendly products such as paint and fertiliser.

As well as the technology itself and its potential to unlock future innovation across the industry, the project engages with the supply chain and will be a pioneering example of the circular economy in action. United Utilities, Southern Water and Scottish Water will contribute operational expertise to ensure the project delivers maximum customer benefit.  Independent support and expertise from Brunel University will lend external validation and monitor the benefits of the project for the wider society.

“This Transform project will trial first-of-its-kind technology at a Severn Trent Water site in Derby to remove carbon from Combined Heat and Power (CHP) exhausts and turn it into eco-friendly products – the net zero, circular economy in action. Together with our partners Clarke Energy, Carbon Capture Market and Brunel University, we could unlock a key technological innovation on the race to Net Zero.”

– Pete Vale, Carbon Economy Engineer, Severn Trent Water

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Update from the project (July 2024)

The design of the Carbon Capture Machine is substantially complete including CHP interfaces. Most long lead time items are delivered and in storage awaiting construction. The design of the base is currently under review, further surveys and investigations are in procurement, with design assurance ongoing. Trial specification is in development, and we are currently working with a Severn Trent framework contractor for the deployment of the Technology at Derby waste water treatment works.

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Update from the project (October 2024)

The design of the Carbon Capture Machine is substantially complete including CHP interfaces. Most long lead time items are delivered and in storage awaiting construction. The location of the project has recently been moved to Strongford Sewage Treatment Works, where it will be integrated into the works for the Net Zero Hub and where there is an existing Severn Trent Water framework contractor already in place to carry out the works.