EBRI successful at Green Gown Awards

A new sustainable energy technology developed by researchers from Aston University’s European Bioenergy Research Institute has awarded the ‘Highly Commended’ Research and Development initiative at this year’s prestigious Green Gown Awards.

The Awards, which celebrate the best sustainability initiatives being taken by colleges and universities, were held on 5 November in Birmingham, with EBRI’s Pyroformer™ technology taking this Research and Development recognition.

The EBRI Pyroformer™ offers the solution to many of the problems other renewable energy solutions have generated. The Pyroformer™ uses a patented heat transfer mechanism to heat and chemically process waste material in a single step using a coaxial Archimedes screw system and an externally heated jacket. Tests show that unlike other bioenergy solutions, the Pyroformer™ has no negative environmental or food security impacts. Its use of multiple feedstocks means it does not require the destruction of rainforests or the use of agricultural land for the growth of specialist biocrops. The process is emission free and the Pyroformer™ is capable of processing up to 100 kg/h of biomass feed and when coupled with a Gasifier it will have an output of 400 kWeI – the equivalent to providing power for 800 homes.

The Pyroformer™ is supporting Aston University’s sustainability initiatives. The University is one of only seven universities to have been awarded the prestigious Platinum EcoCampus Award for its sustainability workAston has also maintained a top 20 position in the People & Planet Green League table for the last three years.

Professor Andreas Hornung, Director of EBRI, said: “The Pyroformer™ is enabling Aston University to directly benefit from the innovative research undertaken by its staff. When the new European Bioenergy Research Institute facility opens on the Aston campus in January 2013, the Pyroformer™ will be providing the heat, electricity and cooling needed to power the building. This will help Aston University’s ambitious carbon reduction plans in reducing its carbon emissions by 53% by 2020.”

The Green Gowns are a further success for Aston University, following its Platinum EcoCampus Award – one of only seven universities to achieve this accolade. Aston has also maintained a top 20 position in the People & Planet Green League table for the last four years.

For further information, please contact Louise Russell, EBRI Marketing & Communications Officer on 0121 204 4637 or at [email protected]