Go Green Gas
Otto Simon Ltd • December 5, 2016
Otto Simon is working with Advanced Plasma Power to develop a BioSNG technology
Otto Simon is working with Advanced Plasma Power to develop a BioSNG technology that has the potential to use waste to generate 100TWh of bio-synthetic natural gas each year if deployed nationwide.
BioSNG can be used in existing appliances, such as boilers and cookers, as well as for transport and represents a potential for decarbonising the energy system. Whilst the power generation sector has made huge progress towards decarbonisation in recent years, decarbonising heat and transport – worth 74% of energy usage – has proved a more stubborn challenge, and is an established government priority.
This pioneering technology, which has the potential meet one third of the UK’s domestic heat requirements, has been proven in a pilot plant developed by National Grid, Advanced Plasma Power and Progressive Energy. Otto Simon is now working with the team to design and construct the commercial scale demonstration plant in Swindon. Set to begin operation in 2018, the plant will convert 10,000 tonnes of waste from the local area into 22GWh of BioSNG, enough to heat 1,500 homes or fuel 75 trucks. Utilising this waste, which would otherwise be sent to landfill, will help to reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses by 5,000 tonnes per annum.
Speaking at the GoGreenGas launch event last week - which hosted more than 100 guests, including representative from project partners, associated industries and MPs - Rolf Stein, CEO of Advanced Plasma Power said that APP is “delighted to be commencing construction of the world’s first commercial gasification plant to produce green gas from household waste. As our technology matures we will be able to convert waste into fuels cost competitively with fossil fuels, helping to achieve an affordable, secure and sustainable low carbon future.”
The £25m facility has been part funded by an £11m grant from the Department for Transport’s Advance Biofuels competition, as well as Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition and project partners. Transport Minister John Hayes said that “Biofuels have an important role to play in keeping Britain moving and will deliver cleaner, greener fuels. Thanks to our £11 million investment this Swindon plant will help make significant carbon savings and deliver a boost to the technology. Advanced biofuels have the potential to save at least 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the equivalent fossil fuel – and Advanced Plasma Power are at the forefront of this pioneering technology.”
Back to Blog
Show More
Recent Blog Posts
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 At Otto Simon, we understand that mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and a foundation for a resilient, productive, and innovative workforce. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a workplace culture that prioritises employee happiness, empathy, and support for every member of our team. In the engineering industry, where precision, problem-solving, and collaboration are critical to success, mental wellness is not just a personal matter—it is a professional imperative. We understand that the challenges our employees face, both on and off the job, can significantly impact their ability to perform and thrive. Throughout this week and beyond, we are dedicated to: · Promoting open dialogue about mental health to reduce stigma. · Providing access to professional mental health resources and support services. · Encouraging work-life balance and sustainable workloads. · Equipping leaders and managers with tools to support their teams with compassion and care. We thank our team for their continued dedication and resilience. Let us use this week as a reminder that taking care of our mental health is not a sign of weakness, but a measure of strength. Together, we will continue to build an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed, both personally and professionally.
The air in the office is buzzing with more than just morning coffee today – it's electric with the excitement of new beginnings! We're thrilled to officially announce that the refurbishment of our newly consolidated United House office building has kicked off! This marks a significant milestone for us as we bring together our team under one roof. By sharing one building we can reduce overheads, invest in new facilities and maintain our valued location right here in Cheadle, Manchester. This amalgamation isn't just about combining physical spaces; it's about weaving together our collective talents, fostering closer team working, and building an even more vibrant and unified company culture. So, let the transformation begin! We're incredibly excited about this new chapter and look forward to sharing the journey with all of you. Stay tuned for more updates as our new, united office takes shape!
Presenting at Energy Storage & Hydrogen Solutions Last month, our Head of Consultancy, Clare Dunkerley, was invited to speak at an event in Cyprus, hosted by Ideopsis and the British High Commission Nicosia. The Energy Storage & Solutions Conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, and industry players, with the aim of to fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and catalysing action towards a more sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon future. The conference attracted some esteemed speakers, including introductory addresses from the Deputy High Commissioner, Adam Sandbrook and the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou. The programme was split into 2 sessions with the first highlighting the future of energy storage, moderated by Dr Alexandros Charalambides from the Cyprus University of Technology. Staveros Stavrinos, the Executive Director of the Transmission System Operator Cyprus, explained the issues the Cyprus Energy Transmission System faced, concentrating on curtailment of renewable solar power. Michael Toumbas, of EV power Ltd, shared innovative thinking around an AI enabled electric vehicle local grid power sharing mechanism. There were also great presentations from smart grid expert Dr Andreas Procopiou and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority. The second session concentrated on hydrogen solutions. Dr Andreas Poullikkas delivered on future energy systems while Charles Purkiss updated us on the latest developments at ITM Power. Jeremy Bowman, from Hypermotive Ltd, discussed hydrogen technology for transport and Philippa Oldham shared some work from the Advanced Propulsion Centre. An interesting Q&A session was chaired by Dr Nestor Fylaktos of the Cyprus Institute. Clare presented ‘A Safe Hydrogen Future’, addressing the importance of public perception and the imperative for no major incidents. Clare shared her experience from working on hydrogen projects and provided an insight in how to use the current UK regulatory framework in conjunction with industry codes and standards to demonstrate that risks in hydrogen projects were acceptable to all concerned. It was a fascinating conference providing a fantastic insight to the current and future energy situation in Cyprus, with plenty of time for networking and discussing hydrogen solutions and projects with all the attendees. Our thanks go to Ideopsis and the British High Commission in Nicosia for the invitation and opportunity to participate in the discussions.