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Refgas Wins ‘Project of the Year’ at the New Energy Awards 2010
3/10/2010
Honoured for its innovative biomass gasification system
Flintshire-based company Refgas has firmly established itself as one of the leading developers in the UK renewables market after picking up the ‘Project of the Year’ Award at this year’s Rosenblatt New Energy Awards.
The prestigious annual awards ceremony, co-sponsored by International Business Wales (IBW), was hosted this year at the Natural History Museum in London and recognised the achievements of management teams, companies and projects that have made a significant contribution to the new energy sector during the past 12 months. The awards are considered one of the key dates in the renewable energy calendar, with over 500 key industry figures attending.
Refgas was honoured on the night for its innovative biomass gasification system which is able to generate heat and power from waste on a moderate scale. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) produced is highly efficient – up to 80 per cent compared to 30-40 per cent which is typical of standard power stations.
Paul Willacy, Managing Director of Refgas, was there on the night with his team to collect the coveted award. He said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised as a company that is committed to the new energy sector. We have come a long way in a very short time, achieving government support for our pilot plant in record time and building the first commercial 4 Mega Watt CHP plant in March 2009.
“This could only be achieved by an experienced and professional team dedicated to building the cleanest, safest and most efficient advanced gasification plant in the world. As a company we believe strongly that moderate scale power generation fuelled by biomass/waste has a huge global future.”
The 4 MW CHP plant developed by Refgas works by prepared biomass being fed into a sealed gasifier vessel and cooked under a controlled oxygen atmosphere. The high 1000 degree celcius temperature gasifies the fuel to produce syngas. A further gas clean-up system ensure the syngas is suitable to feed directly to a gas engine to provide electricity and heat (CHP).
Four other Welsh companies were also finalists on the night, including Dulas (Company of the Year), Enfis (University Spin Out of the Year), Neem Biotech and Dyesol (New Energy Rising Star of the Year).
Welsh Assembly Government Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said:
“We should be very proud to have such a strong Welsh presence in this year’s awards because it demonstrates to Britain and the rest of the world the exceptional contribution, innovation and work this country is continuing to provide for the renewable energy sector.
“The Assembly Government is totally committed to supporting the development and expansion of companies like these because our support is enabling them to make a real impact on climate change, which is one of the greatest challenges we face in the world today. We look forward to following the progress of Refgas and the other Welsh finalists as they continue to build an exciting future for us in 2010 and beyond.
Welsh Assembly Government Environment Minister Jane Davidson said:
"These companies are a great example of how Wales is doing its part to develop and use the next generation of renewable energy. Not only will renewable energy contribute to cutting our carbon emissions, it will also present new economic opportunities.
"We believe Wales can, within 20 years, generate as much electricity as we consume as a nation from renewable sources. If we can achieve this, then not only could Wales’ electricity needs be completely met from low carbon sources, but we would also be able to contribute significantly to the UK’s energy security objectives."
Welsh finalists on the night
Enfis – University Spin Out of the Year (sponsored by International Business Wales)
Enfis designs a range of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with applications ranging from medical to retail. Compared to traditional fluorescent lamps or filament light bulbs, Enfis LEDs produce less heat, last longer and are much more energy efficient.
www.enfis.com
Neem Biotech – New Energy Rising Star of the Year
Neem Biotech has developed a garlic-based feedstock additive, Mootral, which has shown to reduce methane production from cows and sheep by 15-20%.
The Company wishes to talk to investors and entrepreneurs who share their vision of reducing livestock methane emissions to help mitigate the impact of climate change, in an immediate way.
www.neembiotech.com
Dulas – Company of the Year
Dulas is responsible for many of the UK's first solar, wind, hydro and biomass installations. The company has recently played a major role in delivering UK government’s renewable energy policy, and delivers a range of energy efficient and CO2 reducing technologies in public and private schemes.
www.dulas.org.uk
Dyesol – New Energy Rising Star of the Year
Dyesol is working with Corus Colors to commericialise a unique integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product that integrates dye sensitised solar cell technology into naturally coloured Corus Colours steel, making it cheaper to manufacture and perform better in normal solar conditions.
www.dyesol.com