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“Necessity is the mother of innovation”

Whether this quote can be attributed to Plato or Aesop is another blog post entirely, however one thing can be sure…some of the key technologies in clean energy would have made the hydraulic alarm clock look like the frisbee!

One of the advantages of working for a recruitment company that specialises in R&D and Manufacturing, is that you get to meet with the architects of what tomorrows, more carbon efficient world, can look like. Whether this is an SME or university spin out developing a new technology or a prime / OEM that’s incorporating into an existing product line or project, keeping up with everything that’s happening is a full-time job in itself!

So, here’s a few examples of next generation technologies that I’m sure you will see more of over the coming years as it begins to find its way into daily usage. I’ve separated these into three different areas to give you a flavour of just how creative the engineering space is when it comes to tackling the issue of Carbon Emissions (or the Carbon Emissue, a phrase I really hope could be my ticket to Meriam-Webster).

Carbon Capture

The process by which Carbon Dioxide is separated from a large point source (such as a processing plant or industrial manufacturing plant), then transferred and stored in a long-term storage location. This CO2 is then utilised for industrial purposes, such as enhanced oil recovery, plant growth, Food & Beverage production or Chemical Processing.

For full disclosure, when I first heard the term “Carbon Capture,” I thought it was an attempt at sucking the CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere (a process for which, as it happens, a tree has already been invented).

Airhive – on a journey to recover 1 million tonnes of Carbon by 2030, Airhives “Direct Air Capture” technology combine CO2 removal with Geological storage, by utilising fluidised bed systems (a process already in heavy use within Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical manufacture) Airhive technology uses natural minerals that chemically bind with CO2 from the air, then unbind in pure form for utilisation! 

1. The process is near instantaneous and capture 99% of CO2 that passes through the system.  And incredible adaptation of existing technology and certainly beyond my capability to explain so, before I make a fool of myself, go and check them out https://www.airhive.earth/our-tech

2. Parallel Carbon – This is a business who are looking to combine incredible technology within Carbon Capture with financial viability with their product having the capability of removing a Tonne of Carbon for under $100, while also producing clean energy in the form of Hydrogen for $1 per kilogram.  

   Combining DAC and renewable energy led Water Electrolysis, their product can utilise the CO2 emissions for manufacture to power the process of generating clean, sustainable and renewable Hydrogen Energy. I love a graphic, and I hope you do as well as you can find a great walk through of the product at https://www.parallelcarbon.com/tech

   Green Energy

   Removing Carbon is one thing, but what about Energy Generation providing the power that allows households and businesses to operate? For generations we have relied on unsustainable fossil fuels to meet these energy goals, impacting our reliance on this form of energy is a major factor in tackling the Carbon Emissue.

3. The consistent theme around counter arguments is that their sustainable energy sources can’t currently match the demand, however the more efficient we become at converting and storing energy generated from Renewable sources, the closer we get to solving the problem. Below are a couple of companies that are making waves in this field.

4. Logan Energy – Integrated Systems Engineering company with a full service from project inception through to delivery, alongside the capability to operate Hydrogen based solutions. Starting 25 years ago in fuel cell development and transitioning into Hydrogen, they are a unique company in that they have been involved in this technology through all phases and they experience they have gained throughout puts them in pole position as the go too development company for the investment of Hydrogen technology.

   Their projects span Transport, Industrial, Maritime and Utilities. Their background in fuel cell technology have given them a leg up in storage for efficiency and cost-effective solutions. In turn this means that they are able to deliver Hydrogen Refuelling stations ranging from 300 – 700 bar delivery, allowing for heavy duty fuel cell vehicle delivery.

   All of this is powered through their Sustainable off grid solutions, with Energy Independence being a key objective for the business. Working with customers to find a tailored energy solution that suits the business needs and work towards Energy Independence through sustainable practices.

   With an end to end solution, Logan are all-in on hydrogen!

   https://www.loganenergy.com/

5. CEPRO – With an emphasis on clean energy for the household, the clean energy prospector are on a mission to deliver the most affordable way to supply energy for neighbourhoods and create long-term economic value and climate resilience.

6. CEPRO work with housing associations and builders to create and deliver funded micro-grids that supply energy whenever you need it, allowing for a localised supply of renewable energy via reduced bills. Having exceeded their fundraising targets, this business is all about enhancing communities and developing a solution to rising energy prices through, quite literally, putting the power back in the hands of the consumer.

   https://cepro.energy/about-cepro/

7. Changing the Game

8. When iO started our Engineering division, we had a specific focus on recruitment within R&D. As a result of this our early foray into the world of Engineering came with an air “look at this cool thing we’re doing,” so it would be remiss of me to not include a couple of businesses that are changing the game through product innovation!

9. Hybrid Air Vehicles – “Redefining what Aircraft can do.” This is the kind of business that any Aviation Enthusiast should get excited reading about, through going back to first principals of what an aircraft can do. 

   With Hybrid lift and advanced powertrain technology, they can operate at about 10% emissions compared with current aviation options! Alongside the manoeuvrability capability, operational ease, comfort and affordability, HAV have rethought the skies and are one of the most exciting developments in UK Engineering currently going. It’s an example of ingenuity through vision and an incredible step forward in how we may look at our world in generations to come. https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/about/our-vision/

10. Evice – For all those Petrol Heads out there who haven’t come up with a cool term for the electric equivalent, if high performance and luxury cars are in your Renewablood, then this company are worth checking out. Their team of world class engineers and designer began with a simple concept, “What defines Rolls Royce?”

    Their answer? an uncompromising symbol of elegance and luxury, with each example is a true masterpiece that does not redefine, but furthers the vehicles legacy.

    Evice are not forgetting the cars that send shivers down the spine of any car enthusiast, they are bringing them along on the clean energy revolution! https://www.evicecars.com/about-evic

11. There are an ever-growing number of advancements in the field of Green Energy technology, a later blog will explore the innovations in manufacturing processes, so I’ve left them out of this. But I’d highly recommend having a look around and seeing what’s going on, it’ll really give you hope for a cleaner and more sustainable future through ingenuity and innovation.

12. The starting point, for all these companies and for anyone looking to help tackle the Carbon Emissue, is to take an interest; take your problem-solving capability and put it to good use! There are still more questions than answers on the road to Net-Zero, if you want to be one of the people that solves them then give iO a call, connecting innovators is what we do.

13. And keep an eye on the petition for “Carbon Emissue” to get added to the dictionary, when Susie Dent reads it out on Countdown, I will consider my work done.