A spinout from Queens University Belfast has received two funding awards from the UK government to help reduce the reliance of red diesel in industry.
CATAGEN said the money from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will be used in hone its green hydrogen production techniques, as well as its work to develop a liquid hydrogen fuel carrier.
Specifically, it will focus on high-pressure hybrid pumping for hydrogen storage and dispensing and the development of an e-fuel as a replacement for red diesel.
The technologies aim to decarbonise sectors such as transport, an area which the company has built up deep knowledge by selling it emissions testing services to automotive manufacturers.
“E-Fuels are needed to provide an alternative solution to electrification for sectors such as aviation, marine, heavy-duty diesel and heating systems that use liquid fuels,” Professor Roy Douglas, CTO and Co-Founder of CATAGEN, said. “A blended solution of technologies is needed to meet Net Zero emissions targets by 2050.
“Some of our existing business partners have already expressed interest in piloting CATAGEN’s E-fuel as it can be used in a conventional internal combustion engine and utilises existing infrastructure.”
The funding has come from BEIS’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio which aims to help industry move away from using red diesel, also known as gas oil – a type of fossil fuel commonly used for off-road vehicles and machinery, specifically in the quarrying, mining, and construction sectors.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands welcomed the award.
“As we accelerate the UK’s energy independence by boosting clean, home-grown, affordable energy, it’s crucial that our industries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. This investment will help them to not only cut emissions, but also save money on energy bills, on top of supporting jobs by encouraging green innovation across the UK.”
