New technology to produce green hydrogen from industrial wastewater

Wales & West Utilities (WWU) is leading a project to develop a new electrolyser technology capable of producing green hydrogen from highly contaminated industrial wastewater. This innovative approach, developed in collaboration with HydroStar and Cardiff University, aims to overcome the limitations of traditional green hydrogen production, which typically requires highly purified water.

The new technology will utilise wastewater sources containing microplastics and heavy metals, normally unsuitable for hydrogen production. This process not only generates green hydrogen but also produces valuable byproducts like hydrogen and oxygen, which can be captured as high value goods to recover the energy costs of pollutant removal from the water.

By combining pollutant removal with green hydrogen production, the project aims to reduce operational barriers and deliver lower-cost green hydrogen to customers. The initiative builds upon the existing NextGen electrolyser project, which utilises wastewater like rainwater for hydrogen production. This new phase will focus on optimising the existing NextGen unit by researching and developing new electrode designs.

Matt Hindle, head of net zero & sustainability at Wales & West Utilities, says:

“This is an exciting opportunity to build on the work already underway as part of the existing NextGen concept. We see hydrogen playing a significant role in a future energy system, however, there are currently high operational barriers and costs associated with its production.

“By using different water sources – be it wastewater like rainwater, or contaminated water from industry, we can make green hydrogen production more accessible and more affordable.

The project, funded by Innovate UK’s Launchpad: NetZero Industry, South West Wales programme, will commence this summer, with the prototype expected to be ready by March 2025. This project aligns with the Launchpad’s mission to foster sustainable solutions for net-zero industrial emissions in targeted clusters across the UK.