Urbanomy supported the Hydrogen BECCS Innovation Programme Phase 1 in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, EDF R&D UK Center, and Star Hydrogen. This project was awarded funding from the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to further BECCS as a method of sequestering emissions and producing low carbon hydrogen, through an innovative demonstrator system proposed.  

The demonstrator will utilise a highly selective membrane process with high hydrogen recovery rates which also incorporates a one-step water-gas shift (WGS) reforming process, maximising the amount of hydrogen production by converting the CO in the biomass gasification output stream to additional H2 and CO2. Urbanomy's role was to assess the carbon and sustainability impact of this system, through benchmarking against 5 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, exploring short- and long-term social and economic value, as well as evaluating the environmental impact. The greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) were assessed using a methodology inspired by the Bilan Carbone® and the GHG protocol. 

Several practical recommendations were then proposed by Urbanomy to create the most value and mitigate carbon emissions. 

This funding has been made available from the government's £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which aims to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes through the 2020s and 2030s. The Hydrogen BECCS Innovation Programme aims to provide funding to support innovation in hydrogen BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) technologies.