NEWS
Trial to remove carbon dioxide with enhanced rock weathering
V
eolia has partnered with UK biotechnology startup, FabricNano, to apply enzymes to rocks to trial faster, permanent carbon dioxide removal directly from the atmosphere. This decarbonisation innovation is part of a
wider strategy from Veolia Group to “GreenUp” across the globe. The Group announced that it would significantly accelerate its investments in innovation with an additional €200 million to design the technologies of the future. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a process that helps to address climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and permanently storing it in rocks. Veolia’s new ERW service utilises large particle basalt rock fines sourced from local mining operations. Once spread on land, these rocks react with the carbon dioxide from rainwater to permanently store carbon dioxide. One tonne of basalt rock fines can remove up to 300 kg of carbon dioxide, however it can take more than 30 years.
FabricNano’s patented technology immobilises the Carbonic Anhydrase enzyme directly onto large particle basalt, accelerating carbon sequestration timelines from decades to just a couple of years. With Net Zero targets fast approaching, this innovation could make a huge difference to global decarbonisation efforts in the next decade. This year, Veolia will be spreading 30,000 tonnes of basalt
rock across farmland throughout the UK as it begins its ERW decarbonisation operations. This landmark trial with FabricNano will see protein powder, containing the Carbonic Anhydrase enzyme, combined with silicate rock being spread on a stretch of farmland near Bicester, UK and run by Oxford Agricultural Trials (OATs). The trial uses locally sourced, larger rock particles that are a plentiful resource of nearby mining operations. Applying enzymes to speed up the natural rock weathering processes, this trial will incur less than 100 miles of rock transport to the farmland and consume no energy to grind up rocks.
State-of-the-art heat pump training centre opens as demand grows
M
itsubishi Electric has opened a new training centre at its factory complex in Livingston, Scotland, in answer to the UK’s growing demand for heat pumps. The new centre is poised
to revolutionise the training landscape for professionals in renewable heating. The centre was officially opened on 15 May with key overnment and industry figures attending. This included: Graeme Day MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Tadashi Fujiwara, the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh. Russell Dean, Mitsubishi Electric residential product
group director said: “The Livingston Training Centre reaffirms Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to investing in decarbonised heating and in developing a local workforce to bring about a greener sustainable future.”
Further Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “Clean heat and energy efficiency will be vital in meeting our ambitions to achieve Net Zero both in Scotland and across the world.
“I have been delighted to see the innovative ways
in which Mitsubishi Electric is training up the next generation to ensure they are prepared to tackle the challenges of both the present and the future.”
Airedale to open
third and largest UK manufacturing plant
A OMICRON Zero • Eurovent certified performance
• First air-source simultaneous heating & cooling unit using R290 as a near zero GWP, natural refrigerant solution
• Up to 70°C Hot Water
• High TER 7.75* *W45 A7 / W7 A35
iredale by Modine, the Leeds- headquartered critical cooling specialists, has
announced the purchase of a 14.6 acre manufacturing site in Bradford, UK, in response to industry demand for sustainable, high-quality data centre cooling systems across Europe and beyond. As a result of continued growth within Airedale by Modine’s data center business, they have secured the new site, located on the outskirts of Bradford, to deliver increased production, test, office and storage capabilities. The purchase includes 29,000m2 of existing manufacturing space, with additional land offering opportunity for future expansion.
The addition of the site to Airedale by Modine’s UK manufacturing footprint will see the Bradford site specialising in the production and testing of precision air conditioning equipment, like computer room air handlers and fan walls. Airedale by Modine’s existing Leeds facility will focus on chiller production, with the move set to increase the company’s data center cooling production capability in the UK by 150%.
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www.bsee.co.uk Swegon qp BSEE
Dec23.indd 1
10/11/23 16:13 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2024 5
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