Dorset Green H2 – the South West’s first green hydrogen production facility

The hydrogen economy in the South West has taken a huge step forward with the completion of a £6.5 million funding package that will enable Dorset-based Canford Renewable Energy Ltd to deliver its Dorset Green H2 facility, the first of its kind in the region.

Unlike many other hydrogen projects which may use fossil fuels to produce the fuel, the Dorset Green H2 facility will use only renewable energy generated by onsite solar and landfill gases to make green hydrogen, a clean, zero-emission fuel.

The site, previously used for landfill, has been used to generate electricity by harnessing naturally occurring methane gases from landfill since 1996. This legacy will be continued through this exciting Dorset Green H2 project.

Green hydrogen power will play an important role in moving polluting, energy-intensive industries and heavy transport such as shipping, HGV lorries and trains, away from fossil fuels. It is recognised by the government as an emissionfree fuel for use in vehicles, homes and much more. Producing only water vapour and oxygen as by-products, green hydrogen is a central part of the UK government’s plan to reach net zero.

Published in August 2021, the UK Hydrogen Strategy states an ambition to have a worldleading hydrogen economy and identifies hydrogen as having the potential to provide a third of the UK’s energy in the future.

Housing Minister, Eddie Hughes, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities said: “I am delighted to see funding go towards such a positive development in the South West, a real catalyst for a green hydrogen economy in Dorset. It is a priority of this Government to level up opportunities and create a greener, more sustainable future”.

The facility at Canford Resource Park, Poole, is expected to be operational later this year and is being funded via £3 million from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s Growing Places Fund loan scheme, a £1.5 million grant from Low Carbon Dorset, a £1.7m loan from NatWest and equity funding from Canford Renewable Energy.

Cecilia Bufton, Dorset LEP Chair, said: “The UK needs green hydrogen to meet its future energy requirements and we are delighted to award funding to the Dorset Green H2 project, the first of its kind in the South West of England.

“Our recently published Dorset Low Carbon Opportunities document, which maps out options for Dorset to become net zero by 2050, identifies hydrogen as a major investment opportunity and key contributor to Dorset’s clean growth, alongside activities such as decarbonising the grid network, transport and heat. This project will be a springboard to stimulate hydrogen production in Dorset, taking us a step closer towards our net zero goal for the county.”

Dorset Green H2 will see the installation of a 5-Megawatt (MW) ground-mounted array of solar panels at the site, which on overcast days and overnight will be supplemented by electricity produced from the site’s existing landfill gas.

Low Carbon Dorset Programme Manager, Heather Kiel, said: “Dorset Green H2 is a truly innovative project that really showcases a determination in Dorset to invest in renewable and cutting-edge energy. We are thrilled to support Canford Renewable Energy to jumpstart the local hydrogen economy and drive the county forward on its path to net zero.”

Energy generated by renewable sources at the site, will consistently power a 0.87MW electrolyser, producing up to 120,000kg of green hydrogen fuel each year to be compressed, stored, and sold for local and regional use as a carbon free fuel. Hydrogen fuel is recognised as being superior to battery-electric power when it comes to large vehicles, particularly in terms of range and time to re-charge and re-fuel, which takes minutes rather than hours. As the green hydrogen economy develops, there may be opportunities to decarbonise large vehicle fleets in Dorset.

Nathan Ross, Managing Director of Canford Renewable Energy said: “Canford Renewable Energy is an experienced, long-term developer and operator of renewable energy infrastructure. Dorset Green H2 is leading the way for the development of a hydrogen economy in Dorset and the South West, and we are looking to bring forward other green hydrogen production projects in the region.”

Mark Dancer, NatWest’s Commercial Relationship Director Dorset, said: “This is a significant infrastructure project with the potential to put Dorset and the South West at the forefront of the UK’s clean, green-fuel economy. We have been delighted to work alongside all parties involved in supporting the financing of the initiative. It aligns to our own climate objectives, which include helping our customers benefit from the many opportunities transitioning to a low carbon future will hold.” Stay up to date on this project and all things #DorsetNetZero on Twitter and LinkedIn and discover Dorset LEP’s ambitions to tackle climate change for the county to be net zero by 2050 at: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/dorset-net-zero.Dorset Green H2 is a truly innovative project that really showcases a determination in Dorset to invest in renewable and cutting-edge energy

Fire warning after Covid

Businesses are being advised to have their fire alarm systems checked because many were untested last year due to the pandemic and lockdowns.

Aaron Keith from Poole-headquartered fire and security company Sentinel said that some equipment will have gone out of date, meaning in the event of a fire insurers might not pay out.

With more heating, lights and possibly open fires and candles being used during the winter months a fire is more likely.

Companies should also ensure their fire extinguishers are checked, as they too might have gone a year without being assessed.

Aaron said: “In 2021 during the pandemic the testing of fire systems was not a priority for obvious reasons.

“It was not deemed a critical service because reducing the spread of Covid was considered more important.

“So, this year many businesses have systems that might be out of date or aren’t working and do not meet compliance rules and regulations.

“We have very strict standards here and fire systems should be checked twice a year to be compliant.

“Fire extinguishers should also be tested every year and re-filled every five years.

“It might be that everything is fine, but in the event of a fire you want to know that your systems will work, and that your insurance won’t be invalidated.

“For a small outlay businesses can feel safer, be compliant and keep their insurance valid.

“By doing so they will help keep neighbouring businesses and properties safe.

“People should also check their smoke alarms at home to make sure they are in good working order.

“When our engineers do go and check alarms and systems – which they do right across the south – people are grateful and very reassured.” www.sentinelfs.co

b4b marketing name Dorset Mind as their Charity of the Year

Poole-based software, web and marketing agency, b4b, named Dorset Mind as their fundraising partner for 2022, pledging to create a calendar of events to raise money for the mental health charity.

Every member of the b4b team was asked to vote for the charity they wanted to support. It quickly became clear that mental health is a subject that’s close to a lot of people’s hearts.

Melissa Boyle, b4b’s Marketing Manager, is leading the Charity of the Year initiative. She says, “Mental health is such an important issue, especially during these uncertain and difficult times. I am thrilled that we are supporting a charity that does such worthwhile work tackling the stigma surrounding mental illness, while providing valuable education and support to those who are struggling.”

In her spare time, Melissa writes about mental health and shares her own lived experience of OCD. She says that she finds it inspiring that so many of her colleagues are eager to support Dorset Mind.

During 2022, b4b will hold monthly fundraising events both internally and with the involvement of clients. In keeping with the theme of mental wellness, some of these will be activities designed to promote mindfulness, such as crafting and yoga sessions.

Dorset Mind challenges mental health stigma and encourages recovery by empowering individuals to develop resilience. The charity’s one-to-one and group support includes counselling, mentoring, support groups, active monitoring, and a befriending service. These help people regain social skills and develop confidence. Dorset Mind also delivers educational wellbeing programmes for schools and workplaces and provides volunteer opportunities across all areas of the organisation.

Dee Swinton, Income Generation and Marketing Manager at Dorset Mind, says she is delighted that Dorset Mind has been chosen as b4b’s charity partner. She adds: “As an independent charity, the support of our community is hugely important to us, and for local people’s mental health. b4b’s fundraising will help us continue to support adults and young people across Dorset. We’re excited to work with an organisation that actively and visibly supports their employees’ mental health in numerous ways, and we know that our partnership will enhance their offer.”

As part of an ongoing commitment to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, b4b is also planning a programme of educational content and workshops and has a qualified Mental Health First Aider available to provide support within the team. Other members of staff will be offered the Mental Health First Aid training through Dorset Mind.

Anthony Tilley, Managing Director of b4b says: “We’ve always been a company that cares about its people, and working closely with Dorset Mind will give us new and exciting ideas that help to promote staff wellbeing. This partnership also gives us an opportunity to improve awareness of mental health issues within the community, which is something that is important to us as a business.”

www.b4b.co.uk