Hydrogen power generators are providing electricity to a clothing recycling plant in Northamptonshire, UK, that has been plagued by grid connection delays.
Project Re:claim, a joint venture between charity-owned Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) and Project Plan B, is a commercial-scale polyester recycling plant in Kettering, planning to recycle 2,500 tonnes of polyester waste in 2024.
With some 300,000 tonnes of textile items thrown into household waste in the UK alone, Project Plan B, CEO, Tim Cross, explained that polyester waste, until now, had no useful life and would usually be discarded.
© Project Re:claim
But by using technology used for recycling bottles –with adaptions to turn textiles into granules – the project will transform the waste into useable yarn for new clothes.
However, facing grid connection delays of 12-18 months, the project is now using Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) from GeoPura to provide reliable and sustainable power, which will remain in place until a connection is secured.
“A significant challenge in launching Project Re:claim was ensuring we had enough power to operate sustainably from the outset,” Cross said. “GeoPura’s hydrogen power solutions have been instrumental in overcoming this hurdle, enabling the plant to operate efficiently without relying on fossil fuels.”
The HPUs provide 250kW of off-grid power output, using green hydrogen in a PEM fuel cell backed up by 250kWh of battery storage, all within a 20ft shipping container.
Read more: GeoPura lands £22m for hydrogen generator expansion
Manufactured in collaboration with Siemens Energy, GeoPura has deployed HPUs across the UK for defence applications, EV charging and construction sites.
GeoPura CEO, Andrew Cunningham, said the firm’s involvement in the project shows the “versatility and reliability” of hydrogen power.
“By harnessing green hydrogen, our HPU technology provides zero-emission electricity, making it an ideal solution for projects like Re:claim, where traditional grid connections of sufficient size are not immediately available,” he explained.
“It’s fantastic to be working with Project Re: claim and to see their commitment to seeking alternative power sources that align with their sustainability goals work out so well.”
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