Atlantic Hydrogen undertakes study for Britain's Largest Energy Network Operator
Tuesday, September 08, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlantic Hydrogen undertakes study for National Grid, the largest energy company in the U.K.
Fredericton, NB. September 8, 2009 - The specifications for a potential demonstration of Atlantic Hydrogen's CarbonSaver technology will be described in a study commissioned by National Grid, Britain's largest energy network operator. Under the agreement, Atlantic Hydrogen will work with National Grid to develop the technical overview of a potential demonstration plant and a statement of work describing the requirements to enable its engineering, construction and operation. At the same time, the parties will develop the business case for commercial-scale CarbonSaversystems including identifying the regulatory implications in the UK associated with the roles and responsibilities for gas network owners regarding hydrogen-enriched natural gas (HENG).
"This agreement represents a real advance on our road to commercialization," says David Wagner, president and CEO of AHI. "We are very pleased with the support shown by National Grid to date, and hope to continue working with them through to a full demonstration of our technology."
The study will evaluate the potential for a demonstration of CarbonSaver at a site in the UK, with the goal of decarbonizing natural gas for a low-pressure, local distribution system. The CarbonSaver system involves passing natural gas through a plasma arc to separate some of the methane in the gas into solid carbon and gaseous hydrogen. When the gas exits the plasma, the carbon is removed as a fluffy powder, and the hydrogen stays in the gas stream as it moves to end users. The HENG reduces greenhouse gases that result from combustion in end use appliances. The carbon, which has been captured, has applications in batteries, advanced materials and cable and wire.
The final report is due to be presented to National Grid Gas before the end of December, 2009.