News Article

Minister for North East England, Nick Brown MP, today marked the official launch of UK development of state of the art biodiesel systems which could provide low-cost, clean energy for community power schemes – at the region’s New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC).

The Clothier Laboratories at the Hebburn research centre will host the UK’s first demonstration project of a new generation of 100% biodiesel fuelled combined heat and power engines (CHP).

The Investment and Aftercare team at regional development agency One North East has been working with Japanese firm Yanmar Co. Ltd to secure the project, which could pave the way for new commercial uses of a secure, low carbon power resource.

Micro CHP is particularly suitable for commercial buildings with significant heating and power requirements, such as swimming baths, communal residences such as care homes and university campuses, and in rural areas.

The North East will be the only location in Europe to run a pilot for Yanmar. The research and development programme will evaluate the economy and ecology of the engines to run on biodiesel fuel and develop the engine so it will be ready for commercial sale in the UK and Europe. Endurance testing at NaREC’s Clothier Laboratories will begin this month.

Yanmar has installed two engines at the Clothier Laboratories. They will work with NaREC, Newcastle University and local partners in collaborative research to power, monitor, appraise and develop the engine, to enable it to be brought to the UK market within the next three years. One North East’s Rural and Environment team has invested £200,000 of Single Programme funding into the project through NaREC.

Minister for North East England, Nick Brown MP, said: "I am delighted to be here to witness the launch of this exciting new project. It represents an excellent opportunity for our region to further enhance its expertise in the developing biofuels industry.
 
“The knowledge which will be gained from research into this area will help increase the overall prosperity of our region and is a wonderful example of the North East's commitment to leading the way in exploring and mastering emerging new energy technologies."
 
Biodiesel fuel is made from biomass such as vegetable oils and, therefore, when it is burned does not contribute carbon dioxide towards greenhouse gas emissions. It is biodegradable and non-toxic and is seen as ‘clean energy’ or ‘carbon neutral’ as well as being a cost-competitive form of energy. This test will use biodiesel from a rape seed, soy mix feedstock sourced regionally.

Makoto Yasuda, from the Environmental Business Development Department at Yanmar, said: “Yanmar chose North East England because One North East’s Investment and Aftercare Team demonstrated that the region had the facilities, skills and commitment to make the testing work and enable us to gain a foothold in the market that will allow us to develop our commercial proposition.

“Micro CHP has the potential to be an influential heating technology that decreases carbon dioxide emissions through increased energy efficiency in households and small businesses.

“This project will enable us to fully explore the viability of biofuel micro CHP to create new solutions for low carbon heat and power in Europe.” 

One North East Chairman, Margaret Fay, said: “The unique technology being tested and developed in the region lends further credibility to the region’s reputation as a centre of excellence for energy technologies.

“The North East Biofuels Cluster will have complete scope of the industry, from production to consumption, and the potential supply chain opportunities for businesses in the region, particularly in rural areas, will be very important.

“Ultimately, this research will take forward the introduction of low carbon products that can help businesses reduce their energy consumption and cost.”

NaREC Chief Executive, Andrew Mill, added: “NaREC is working to enable the move towards a low carbon economy on a national and international scale by assisting the development and market growth of new energy technologies.

“The North East has an excellent supply chain for biofuels, and this combined with our own expertise for new energy technology application will assist Yanmar in developing biofuel micro CHP further for the European market.

“The aim of this new research and development project with Yanmar is to further explore ways of diversifying existing proven energy technology which uses conventional fuel sources, and adapt it for renewables.”

The Government has set a target of a 60% cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and promotes the introduction of CHP into the market.

Yanmar has developed micro CHP systems with high energy efficiency and durability and the company is also carrying out demonstration projects in Japan, India and Malaysia as well as North East England.

Yanmar intends to develop the engine to comply with various types of bio-fuels in the world through these tests and contribute to cutting carbon emissions and reduce the threat from climate change.

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For more information please contact: Claire Mason, press office, One North East, on Tel: 0191 229 6429 or email: claire.mason@onenortheast.co.uk.