Using hydrogen to clean water and generate electricity
Researchers from the School of Chemistry are developing fuel cell technology to capture and eliminate greenhouse gases at wastewater treatment sites while generating green electricity. Led by Dr Richard Baker, the project received a £449,640 award from OfWat’s Discovery Challenge to accelerate innovation in the water sector.
Dr Baker’s team is focusing on solid oxide fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity without emissions, producing only water and heat, both of which can be reused.
In the UK, over 15 million litres of water are treated daily to meet strict standards, including the use of small amounts of chlorine, which requires significant energy and transport. The water industry is exploring low-emission hydrogen production through on-site electrolysis, leveraging methane from wastewater plants.
The OfWat Discovery Challenge awarded £4.5 million to ten teams, including academic and industry innovators to tackle major challenges in the sector.