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Clean energy tech for food industry gets boost from Government funding
Developed by Pipeline Organics, the device harnesses liquid organic waste to generate electricity that is fed directly into on-site equipment.
Designed specifically for food and drink manufacturers, the next generation fuel cell promises to generate more electricity per unit volume than traditional BFCs.
Pipeline highlighted three major benefits of the new device – a reduction in energy bills due to a lower reliance on the National Grid for electrical power, a reduction in carbon emissions thanks to the BFCs zero-carbon biological process, and resilient source of energy year-round independent of weather (the device relies on waste, not wind, sunlight or sludge shipments, to operate).
Andrew Raslan, co-founder and chief operating officer, said: “The Innovate UK funding is a critical piece of the puzzle that will allow us to fund expensive research and development for hardware that is ‘part metal, part biological’. Co-funding by Innovate UK will allow us to access innovation and deeptech-focused investor networks.
Comprised of University of Nottingham alumni with backgrounds across science and engineering, Pipeline conceptualised an earlier version of the technology at a competition called YES20 hosted by the university.
A benchtop prototype was developed in 2024 with the help of funding from various competitions and an Innovate UK grant. Pipeline has since raised a further £1.5m, including a £630,000 grant from Innovate UK.
The next step is to create and study a feasibility prototype that function in real industry wastewater, leading to a commercially ready product in the next 18-24 months.
“Following operational studies, the data we gather will show very objectively what the value of our product is to our customers in terms of electricity generation, cost savings and carbon savings,” Raslan added.
“This should get us a few early adopters who will buy our ‘beta product’ and will champion us for further funding and early industry adoption of the Biofuel Cell.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has issued grants to several food and drink manufacturers as part of a wider decarbonisation fund.
