Plastic waste-to-hydrogen technology greenlit for trial

Plastic waste could soon be converted to energy and powering towns, according to a new deal Polish energy company Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) and German chemicals company Linde have signed with Powerhouse Energy.

The project, which is currently in the feasibility stage, involves converting plastic, end-of-life tyres and other forms of chemical waste into green hydrogen using technology that both companies have been greenlit to deploy at various locations across Europe.

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The joint venture has currently secured access to the technology at plants in Greece, Poland and Hungary. Rollout in these areas is expected following the feasibility stage, subject to whatever agreements HUI is able to secure.

The main focal point of the feasibility study will be a preliminary plant set up in Konin in Central Poland where it will be tested.

Powerhouse claims its Distributed Modular Generation technology - a form of chemicals recycling - is to convert 40 tonnes of plastic waste into 58 MWh of renewable electricity and clean hydrogen per day.

If successful, the hydrogen created at this plant will be used as fuel for local buses and other heavy-duty vehicles, such as vans and trucks and is designed to be low-cost.

It could also be used in future central heating systems for the homes of Konin, thanks to an aspect of the technology that allows for integration with central heating systems, according to a company statement.

When completed, the project will lead to 10 DMG units being placed at a single location.

Hydrogen is considered to be essential in the transition away from fossil fuels, owing to it being relatively cheap to produce, its versatility and its ability to use existing oil & gas infrastructure for transportation.

Many proponents of the technology say it is also preferable to electrification for heavy-duty and long-haul transportation.

Poland is also looking to increase its hydrogen sector, among other sectors such as nuclear, as it seeks to transition away from coal, which is becoming increasingly uncompetitive.

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Over the course of 2019, the city of Konin prepared a new energy transition strategy for the city, which includes both waste-to-energy initiatives as well as using hydrogen as a fuel for local transport and municipal companies.

The city is currently engaged, together with other relevant regional stakeholders in preparing the territorial just transition plan for the Eastern Wielkopolska region.

"In the case of DMG deployment in Poland, Linde's efficiency will speed up decarbonising my country," HUI CEO Aleksandra Binkowska said in a statement. 

"Thanks to our Powerhouse Energy DMG technology, we also aim to offer a valid solution to a massive plastic waste issue which we are facing at the moment in Poland," she added.

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