Remember the scene from “Back to the Future” where Doc Brown fills up his DeLorean using garbage as fuel? A new project in Spain could bring us closer to this scenario, proving that our solid waste is much more valuable than we think.
The Raven SR project
Raven SR, an American startup specializing in renewable fuels, has announced a pioneering project in Zaragoza, Spain. The goal? Convert solid waste into clean hydrogen using innovative steam/CO2 reforming technology. This plant will be the first of its kind in Europe, and could pave the way for a new era in waste management and clean energy production.
It is not a "peregrine" attempt. The project has received an important designation from the Government of Aragon, and has been declared a “Project and Investment of Regional Interest”: a recognition awarded only to a limited number of initiatives in the last decade in Spain.
matt murdock, CEO of Raven SR, expressed his gratitude:
We are honored and privileged that Aragon has entrusted us with this designation. This strengthens the autonomous community's commitment to innovative and sustainable technologies.
How is solid waste transformed into hydrogen?
Raven SR's patented technology uses a non-combustion thermal, chemical and deductive process. Here are some key points:
Does not require fresh wateras raw material.- Uses
less than half the energy required by electrolysis. - It can process simultaneously
different types of waste. - Produces a synthetic gas
rich in hydrogenregardless of the raw material used.
This flexibility and efficiency make the process particularly suitable for local production of clean hydrogen and liquid synthetic fuels from local solid waste.
Impact and future prospects
Once operational, scheduled for 2026, the plant should produce:
- 75 kg of hydrogen for transport for each ton of solid organic waste.
- Approximately 5.250 kg of hydrogen per day.
- An annual total of approx 1,8 million kg.
Pretty interesting numbers. Not surprisingly, beyond the Spanish region, the project has also received strong support at both European and national levels:
- The European Commission has awarded Raven SR 2,4 million euros in 2022 to start the system.
- The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge provided additional funding through a grant called Perte H2 Cadena Valor C2.
This financial support underlines the strategic importance of the project in the context of European energy and environmental policies.
In summary: from solid waste to hydrogen, for a cleaner future on the horizon
Doc Brown's DeLorean remains in the realm of science fiction, but Spain is proving that the idea of turning solid waste into clean energy is anything but fantasy. With projects like this, our daily waste could become the fuel of tomorrow.
And who knows, maybe one day not too far away, we too will take some banana peels to stick in the tank. Great Jupiter!
