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£20M Plastic-To-Hydrogen Plant At Peel L&P’s Protos Moves Forward

Kenneth Booth September 15, 2020

The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase has been completed on the UK’s first waste plastic to hydrogen facility. The facility, which is planned for Protos – Peel L&P Environmental’s strategic energy and resource hub in Cheshire – will create hydrogen from waste plastic which could be used to fuel cars,

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Issue 327 : Apr 2025

hydrogen

Hydrogen production to take centre stage as industry leaders convene to explore infrastructure opportunities

Hydrogen production to take centre stage as industry leaders convene to explore infrastructure opportunities

BDC News Team April 26, 2023

As the UK Government targets 10GW of hydrogen production by 2023, industry leaders will convene at the Planning for Hydrogen Infrastructure 2023 event on 23 May, to explore strategies and planning for building successful hydrogen infrastructure projects – from concept to reality. Theevent, hosted by international law firm Eversheds Sutherland in London, will provide an opportunity for the key players in hydrogen infrastructure to come together and share ideas in a growth area for the energy sector. The rise in hydrogen production presents a dual opportunity to tackle the energy crisis and reduce emissions with a cleaner alternative. The event will explore how new hydrogen projects can be successfully delivered, and provide attendees with valuable insights on planning strategies, site selection, stakeholder engagement, and consultation practices. It will also cover the latest policy developments supporting hydrogen production, infrastructure needed to meet the demand, and funding options available. The day will allow hydrogen and planning leaders to share ideas to address existing challenges and discuss ways to support future development. A key topic under discussion at this year’s one-day event will be ScottishPower’s new business division that focuses on green hydrogen, and what the company’s first projects in this area will mean for communities. There will be a range of panel discussions throughout the day. Helen Sanders, Head of Policy and Sustainability at SSE Thermal, James Walker, Senior Manager – Hydrogen Strategy at Ofgem and Jubilee Easo, International Head of Hydrogen at Eversheds Sutherland, will examine the current policy direction for hydrogen production, and what more Government can do to support the industry hit its 10GW by 2030 target. While Chris Rowell, Clean Growth and Innovation Manager at Tees Valley Combined Authority and Chris Taylor, Head of Planning and Consents at Progressive Energy, will discuss planning and delivering hydrogen infrastructure, and how best to effectively engage with all stakeholders. A range of other leading hydrogen infrastructure experts in the industry will also debate: The event will be chaired by Clare Jackson, CEO at Hydrogen UK. Ms Jackson leads the hydrogen industry association. In 2021, she launched Hydrogen UK, which brings together organisations delivering across the hydrogen value chain to work to make the UK one of the best places in the world to develop and deploy hydrogen solutions. Ms Jackson said: “The Planning for Hydrogen Infrastructure event offers an excellent opportunity for key players in the hydrogen energy sector to come together, share ideas, and develop innovative solutions to address the most pressing challenges facing the industry both in 2023 and beyond. “It’s a critical time for the sector as we look to develop policy and technological innovations that will prioritise energy security and provide the UK with a sustainable, decarbonised energy system, with renewables such as hydrogen at its core. “There will be plenty of opportunities for attendees to network with significant stakeholders in the hydrogen energy sector, including those spearheading cutting-edge hydrogen projects and infrastructure.” The event is being organised by Waterfront Conference Company. Waterfront delivers physical and virtual policy conferences for the planning, energy, rail, ports and maritime sectors. For more information and to register for the Planning for Hydrogen Infrastructure 2023, visit the event website https://waterfront.eventscase.com/EN/hydrogeninfrastructure or for other Waterfront events, visit https://www.waterfrontconferencecompany.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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BRITS BACK HYDROGEN: Majority of UK want a low carbon alternative to natural gas

Kenneth Booth April 11, 2022

Over three quarters (77.7%) of Brits would support the UK generating and distributing alternative, low-carbon gas through the existing grid to replace the imports of natural gas from countries such as Qatar and Russia, a survey has found. The research of 2000 UK consumers, conducted on behalf of trade association the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has also found almost three quarters (73.8%) of people would support development low carbon gas boilers that could be easily swapped with existing boilers to help deliver the UK’s climate change targets. Almost two thirds (64.3%) of respondents also said they would choose a low carbon boiler if replacing their heating system. Amid increasing cost-of-living concerns, 82% of respondents also believed the government should prioritise affordability in the development of renewable technologies for heating homes in the UK. However only 6.2% of those asked would be willing to pay £8500 for a new heating system, the average additional expense of retrofitting a heat pump. Almost two-thirds would be unwilling or unable to pay this much for a new heating system, leaving hydrogen heating as the only way to decarbonise their homes. Mike Foster, CEO of the EUA explains: “It is clear that Brits back action on climate change however, with the cost-of-living crisis causing concern for pretty much everyone, the Government have got to commit to a more affordable route. The vast majority of UK residents cannot afford the price tag for a heat pump, nor do they want to switch away from some kind of low carbon gas. “The gas grid is gearing up for hydrogen, and boiler manufacturers have already made promises around price for consumers. Now it is up to the Government to pull their finger out and prioritise UK people and their finances by progressing hydrogen as part of the UK’s energy mix.” With Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng alluding to hydrogen playing a role in the Government’s upcoming Energy Strategy, the UK public have made it clear an alternative to natural gas is their choice. 71% of respondents believed the Government should make a clear statement that, in future all gas, supplied to UK homes through the gas grid is low or zero carbon. Mr Foster adds: “Mr Kwarteng and the Prime Minister have a decision to make with this Energy Crisis. Either they continue with an electrification of heat, imposing large bills on the public and pushing more people into fuel poverty. Or they can start prioritising the financial wellbeing of the British public and listen to their demands when they say they want an alternative to natural gas, which can be found in hydrogen.” “We have to make progress to Net Zero but this cannot be at the cost of the British people. We have all seen energy bills rise, hurting people in their pockets. The Government must get this call right or risk making a huge political blunder which will see them out of office at the next election.” For more information, visit www.eua.org.uk

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£20M Plastic-To-Hydrogen Plant At Peel L&P’s Protos Moves Forward

Kenneth Booth September 15, 2020

The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase has been completed on the UK’s first waste plastic to hydrogen facility. The facility, which is planned for Protos – Peel L&P Environmental’s strategic energy and resource hub in Cheshire – will create hydrogen from waste plastic which could be used to fuel cars, buses and HGVs. Completed during lockdown, the study assessed all the design and engineering aspects of the proposed facility. It also evaluated the total project costs – estimated at £20m – which will facilitate Peel L&P Environmental finalising the project financing. The ‘UK first’ facility which gained planning consent from Cheshire West & Chester Council in March 2020 will use pioneering DMG (Distributed Modular Generation) technology developed by Powerhouse Energy Group plc (AIM: PHE) at Thornton Science Park, next door to Protos. The facility will transform the way plastic is dealt with regionally, with the scheme also set to provide a blueprint for future projects to be rolled out nationally. Peel L&P Environmental will develop 11 facilities across the UK in the next few years and has the option of exclusive rights to the Powerhouse Energy technology in the UK leading to over 70 facilities in total. The plastic to hydrogen facility, is the first part of the ‘Plastic Park’ planned at Protos, which will revolutionise the way that plastic waste is currently handled. Envisaged to be one of many Plastic Parks across the UK, it will provide a comprehensive solution for the 4.9 million tonnes of plastic waste generated in the UK each year, preventing it ending up in landfill, exported overseas or in the ocean. A planning application for the first Plastic Park at Protos is expected before the end of the year. Richard Barker, Director at Peel L&P Environmental said: “This FEED phase is an important step forward in delivering this innovative technology at Protos. Working with Powerhouse Energy we’re creating a blueprint for this UK first plastic-to-hydrogen facility, with plans to roll out over 70 more across the UK. With hydrogen increasingly being seen as an important part of our journey to net zero the time is now.” Jayne Hennessy, Development Manager at Peel L&P Environmental said: “The Powerhouse Energy technology was developed right next door to Protos at Thornton Science Park which illustrates how the North West is leading on innovation around net zero. It’s great to see the project moving forward and paves the way for construction starting later this year.” David Ryan, CEO of Powerhouse Energy said: “I would like to congratulate Peel L&P on bringing the FEED phase for the DMG plant at Protos to a successful completion, especially during the lockdown period which is a significant achievement. Defining the application at Protos has provided further commercial and technical validation of our DMG technology. We are confident that the delivery of this first commercial plant will provide a community based distributed source of hydrogen to further the hydrogen economy in the UK.” Peel L&P Environmental is engaging with supply chain partners to support the project with construction expected to start later this year. The company is also in the process of applying for an Environmental Permit for the facility. About Peel Environmental and Protos Peel Environmental, part of Peel L&P, owns and develops waste infrastructure projects. It has achieved consent for a range of energy infrastructure schemes including a 49MW Energy from Waste plant at Protos in Cheshire, 29MW Energy from Waste plant at Kellingley, North Yorkshire, 250,000tpa AD and MRF in Glasgow; and a 20MW Energy Centre at Houghton Main, Barnsley. Peel works with investors, waste management companies, technology providers and contractors to secure a deliverable and fundable business model for each project.  www.peelenvironmental.co.uk Peel Environmental brought forward and consented the Protos development, previously known as Ince Resource Recovery Park. The 54ha (134 acres) development site has full outline planning consent and part detailed planning consent for general manufacturing and distribution uses (B1, B2 & B8), as well as a biomass facility and an Energy from Waste facility. www.protos.co.uk  @ThisIsProtos Protos sits within the Energy Innovation District (EID) which brings together energy users, network owners, innovators and partners working alongside Cheshire & Warrington LEP, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the University of Chester. With the objective of driving down the cost of clean energy the EID is an opportunity to deliver a new decarbonised energy system for the North West of England, meeting the Government’s Clean Growth agenda while boosting economic growth and investment. www.energyinnovationdistrict.com About Peel L&P – realising possibility. We are an ambitious regeneration business with generations of history, heritage and expertise in our DNA. First established in 1971, Peel L&P is now responsible for some of the most transformational development projects in the UK today. Owning and managing 12 million sq. ft of property and 20,000 acres of land and water, our holdings are concentrated in the north west of England but we also own and manage significant assets throughout the UK with a total portfolio value of £2.6 billion. As a part of the Peel Group; we are integral to a business that strives to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Our legacy matters. We take great pride in the outcomes we achieve, the people we work with, the way we go about our business and the transformational projects we deliver. Our specialist teams have a proven track record in delivering high-quality, legacy projects across land, property, water and airspace. This includes airports, hotels, waterways, media hubs, event spaces, leisure facilities, retail, workspaces, residential development, industrial & logistical space, public realm, historic gardens and the renewable energy sector. Peel L&P is an agile and ambitious business with a legacy of success for a long-term, sustainable future. We see possibility. We deliver transformation. More information at www.peellandp.co.uk  or follow @PeelLandP on Twitter. About Powerhouse Energy Group (AIM:PHE) Powerhouse Energy Group has developed a proprietary process technology – DMG® – which can utilise waste plastic, end-of-life-tyres, and other waste streams to efficiently and economically convert them

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