Sizewell C is looking for commercial partners to help develop Hydrogen and Direct Air Capture (DAC) demonstrator projects linked to the proposed new nuclear power station in Suffolk.
Two “Expression of Interest” (EOI) proposals have been issued asking companies with relevant expertise to come forward to deliver each project.
Hydrogen and DAC were highlighted in the Government’s recent 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution as having a key role to play in reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Using spare low carbon heat from nuclear power generation can make hydrogen production and DAC significantly more efficient. The demonstrator projects are intended to lead to permanent larger-scale facilities connected to Sizewell C as part of a low carbon energy hub.
Any new construction relating to these proposals would be conditional on receiving planning permission.
Hydrogen
Sizewell C is planning to develop a small demonstrator project using an electrolyser with the potential to produce up to 800kg of hydrogen per day. The hydrogen would be used to fuel some of the vehicles and equipment used in the construction of the power station and reduce the usage of diesel. Further uses could include supplying hydrogen to meet the requirements of local authorities, nearby ports, industry, and for local bus and rail transport.
The project is looking for interested parties to supply the electrolyser, provide hydrogen-fuelled vehicles or equipment (or express interest in hydrogen consumption for their own uses), and provide project management.
A permanent facility supplied with low-carbon heat and power by Sizewell C could produce hydrogen at scale.
Direct Air Capture
The demonstrator project will test the viability of a heat-driven DAC system by simulating the conditions created using heat from nuclear power.
In the longer term, Sizewell C could provide the heat direct from the power station to drive a permanent scaled-up DAC system. By diverting a very small amount of the plant’s thermal output for DAC, the project would have the potential to become carbon negative.
Sizewell C is asking companies with experience in DAC (or other relevant technologies) to provide the air capture technology, design the plant, provide project management, and explore scalability with a view to establishing a future large-scale integrated DAC plant on the Sizewell C site.
Julia Pyke, Sizewell C Director of Finance and Regulation, pictured, said:
“Sizewell C will supply around 6 million British homes with always-on low carbon power, but it has enormous potential to do much more in support of our net zero future. By using spare heat to enable some of the other low carbon technologies needed alongside nuclear, Sizewell C will become a flexible energy hub and provide even greater value for energy users.”
Express an interest
Interested parties for the DAC demonstrator are asked to review the EOI documentation and send a submission by 17:00 BST, 18 December 2020.
Interested parties for the Hydrogen demonstrator are asked to review the EOI documentation and send a submission by 17:00 BST, 8 January 2021.
By Sizewell C media team | November 23, 2020 | SZC news