FuelCell Energy a manufacturer of stationary fuel cell energy platforms for decarbonising power, and producer of hydrogen, has announced a new Carbon Savings Calculator for companies looking to gain greater insight into how to upcycle CO2 which is produced by their operation across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
This approach provides an alternative to purchasing CO2, often times from much higher polluting sources such as ethanol facilities, as many businesses do today, and can help avoid the business risk of rapidly rising CO2 prices and scarcity of supply.
CO2, the most commercially produced greenhouse gas, plays a crucial role in our everyday products and supply chain that can often go unnoticed to the everyday consumer. The gas is used in a variety of processes including refrigeration, dry ice for pharmaceuticals, pH balancing of drinking water, food security (extending the shelf life of food), carbonated beverages, water purification and more.
As society looks to reduce emissions, businesses are setting more aggressive net-zero targets. FuelCell Energy says they are able to present a compelling opportunity for manufacturers, food processors, hospitals, and a broad range of commercial and industrial customers to recycle CO2. Once captured and concentrated by fuel cells that sit on the manufacturing site, the CO2 has many potential uses. Examples of common use cases for CO2 are beverage grade CO2, meat processing, enabling food transportation and extending food shelf life. It can also be used to make dry ice, applied to water treatment processes, or aid in the production of cement and plastics.
“In the food and beverage industry there is tremendous and ever-growing demand for beverage grade CO2, however, traditional CO2 suppliers currently are and will continue to be challenged for the foreseeable future to meet that demand,” said Bob Yeoman, executive vice president of B&R Compliance Associates. “Working with FuelCell Energy to upcycle CO2 for food and beverage applications could provide dramatic benefits like cost savings, independence from traditional sources, and availability.”
“As a company dedicated to propagating global clean energy, we are pleased to offer this unique tool for businesses to gain greater insight into how they can recycle their CO2, reduce emissions and save money at the same time,” said Mark Feasel, FuelCell Energy’s chief commercial officer.
