Copel GT will invest more than R$3 million in the construction of a pilot plant for the production of low-carbon hydrogen from biomass (organic waste, manure, sugarcane bagasse, among others). The hydrogen will be used as an input to manufacture ammonia and urea used in fertilisers.
The project has funding from the Aneel R&D Programme and a partnership with the Association of Researchers in the Northern Region of Brazil (Apreno). Over the next two years, the focus of the work will be to develop technology that promotes the sustainability of the hydrogen market in Paraná.
The ideal location for the combined plant to produce hydrogen, ammonia and urea is being studied. “This is an interesting business model, as it could bring together different cycles: the use of biomass generated on a property to produce hydrogen and its application in the manufacture of fertilisers that serve as an input for agribusiness – all happening in the same location,” says Copel GT’s Research, Development and Innovation manager, Leandro Foltran.
The strategy of enabling the decentralised production of nitrogen fertilisers is in line with the need to reduce Brazil’s dependence on imported inputs, as pointed out by experts. According to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services’ National Fertiliser Plan, in 2022 around 85% of the fertiliser consumed in Brazil was of foreign origin.
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Press release https://is.gd/fDbh3c
