Monday, 19 July 2021
Nottingham researchers have been awarded nearly £2m as part of a major project to investigate the potential to harness offshore wind and marine renewable energy for conversion to hydrogen and zero carbon fuels.
Ocean-REFuel is a five-year project led by the University of Strathclyde, which also involves the Universities of Nottingham and Cardiff, Newcastle University and Imperial College London.
Professor Gavin Walker, along with co-investigators Dr Robin Irons, Professor David Grant and Dr Jon Mckechnie — all from Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering — will consider a whole-energy system to maximise ocean renewable energy.
The team was awarded £1.7m by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to specifically investigate low pressure solutions to store hydrogen in much smaller volumes safely using solid state storage. Also, to maximise hydrogen system efficiency by developing low energy solid state compressors, when you do require high pressures, rather than energy hungry mechanical compressors. They will also implement a techno-economic assessment of proposed solutions, assessment of the circular economy for the new technologies and the integration and potential impact of ocean net-zero fuels on the existing gas infrastructure.
The project has transformative ambition in addressing a number of big questions concerning the UK’s net-zero energy future. As the UK rapidly expands its offshore renewable capacity, what role does offshore hydrogen play in alleviating the intermittency of ocean renewable energy and how versatile energy vectors such as hydrogen and ammonia can enable the use of ocean renewable energy to decarbonise the heat, industrial and transport sectors.
Project lead Professor Feargal Brennan from the University of Strathclyde, said: “The Ocean-REFuel project has come at precisely the right time to build on the successes of offshore wind and has the potential to create a step-change in how we consider our whole energy system. The challenges are immense, and we are acutely aware of the importance of getting this right, given the backdrop of the climate emergency and the global consequences unless step changes can be achieved.”
Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “The waters around the UK offer abundant prospects for clean energy. Ensuring that we can tap the full potential of our natural resources will be vital in meeting our bold climate change commitments.
“As shown through our world-leading offshore wind sector, we are not only capitalising on the clean energy potential around our coastline but also the opportunities for investment, jobs creation and regional growth. Projects like Ocean-REFuel are helping us fulfil that potential as we build back greener.”
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More information is available from Professor Gavin Walker on gavin.walker@nottingham.ac.uk or Emma Lowry, Media Relations Manager (Engineering) on emma.lowry@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 8467156.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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