KI Hydrogen: Transforming Waste Biomass into Green Hydrogen Innovation
Key Ideas
- KI Hydrogen, a Carbon13 graduate, secured £470,000 from Innovate UK for its waste biomass-to-hydrogen process.
- The startup's method uses wood or paper feedstocks to produce green hydrogen and other byproducts at a lower energy cost than conventional processes.
- The project was selected for funding due to its innovation and scalability, with plans to collaborate with the Birmingham Energy Institute.
- Wild Hydrogen, another company, also aims to produce hydrogen from waste wood, plants, and compost by 2026.
KI Hydrogen, founded by Kojo Muto and Michael Stanton and supported by COO Carl Banbury, received £470,000 in funding from Innovate UK for their innovative waste biomass-to-hydrogen process. The startup, a graduate from the University of Cambridge, utilizes electrolysis to transform wood or paper feedstocks into green hydrogen and other beneficial byproducts. Their method costs around $2/kg and boasts a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional green hydrogen production techniques. This funding, part of a selection of 46 projects out of 1,911, acknowledges KI Hydrogen's potential for innovation and scalability. The company is set to collaborate with the Birmingham Energy Institute in the next phase of development. Concurrently, Wild Hydrogen, based in Gloucestershire, is also venturing into hydrogen production from waste sources like wood, plants, and compost, with plans to debut a commercial demonstrator by 2026. The positive reception and support for these eco-friendly initiatives highlight a growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions.