The commitment of the UK water sector to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 has increased the interest on the role and the opportunities that hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic fuels and bioenergy offer to the industry to transition towards decarbonised operations.

Hydrogen and ammonia are versatile molecules able to deliver a variety of advantages with multiple applications but they still need to win the battle for low cost production and the widening of applications.

Biogas and biomethane are well established and can expand their contribution of the energy demand of the water sector. 
Biofuels like bioethanol or biodiesel could growth towards a wider implementation but currently remain a small part of the energy market. Synthetic fuels and CO2 sequestration processes whilst still in their infancy could provide solutions for the energy transition by extending the life of current energy technologies.

The masterclass will explain how alternative energy vectors like hydrogen, ammonia, biomethane and synthetic fuels can help delivering the plans of the water sector to achieve net zero, describe their ability to be applied in the operation of the industry to reduce carbon emissions and discuss how they can deliver value depending by output requirement, the legislative boundaries, incentives and system integration options.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • DurationHalf day (09:00 am - 12:30 pm) Registration at 9am
  • LocationOnline
  • Cost

    £185

    10% discount off registration fee for Water and Wastewater Network members.

Course structure

This unique masterclass will be delivered live online over 3 hours by Dr Luca Alibardi and Prof Ewan McAdam. 

Luca Alibardi is a Lecturer in Separation Processes. His research focuses on the development of separation technologies and systems integration to lead on the transition towards the circular and hydrogen economies. 

Ewan McAdam is professor of Membrane Science and Technology research focusses on the development of hybrid membrane technologies for the water sector that permit selective separations, chemical and biochemical transformations, gas-liquid transfer or the initiation of a phase change, to enable opportunities in process intensification, energy production or resource recovery to be realised. 

The masterclass will be divided into three parts, each combining lecture-like presentations and discussions to interact with the lecturer and the other participants, share ideas and develop network opportunities: Session 1 - Net zero plans – role and opportunities for innovative energy vectors. Session 2 – Alternative energy vectors – a state of the art, covering hydrogen uses and production, Ammonia recovery and uses, synthetic fuels and bioenergy. Session 3 – Opportunities and challenges including incentives and regulatory drivers, system integration opportunities, and technology development.

What you will learn

At the end of this masterclass you will have a clearer view of the opportunities that alternative energy vectors to conventional fossil fuels offer to decarbonise the water industry, identify the possibilities to produce and/or recover these innovative fuels from renewable resources with low carbon emissions, understand the ongoing research agenda for technology development and implementation.

Core content

  • Review of plans for Net Zero. Some key examples presented and discussed,
  • Overview of innovative energy vectors (hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic fuels) and contribution for net zero,
  • Hydrogen production and utilisation technologies, and state of the art,
  • Ammonia recovery technologies, utilisation possibilities, carbon implications and wider opportunities,
  • Synthetic biofuels,
  • Exploitation of existing asset (biomethane and CO2 sequestration),
  • Legislative incentives and opportunities for process integration.

Timetable

Online module of three interactive sessions. 

30-40 minutes presentation followed by discussions and interaction with the attendees.

Session 1 – Net zero plans – role and opportunities for innovative energy vectors

Session 2 – Alternative energy vectors – a state of the art

  • Hydrogen uses and production,
  • Ammonia recovery and uses,
  • Synthetic fuels,
  • Bioenergy.

Session 3 – Opportunities and challenges

  • Incentives and regulatory drivers,
  • System integration opportunities,
  • Technology development.

Who should attend

This masterclass is aimed at water professionals from researchers to engineers, operators, and asset managers, involved in in the definition of future plans for emissions management and the search of alternative energy to achieve net zero. The course will also be of interest to technology investors, energy technology providers, regulators as well as students with a background in water science, environmental engineering who wish to learn more on the role of alternative energy in transitioning towards decarbonised operations.

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.