Heating hope for the future

Jan 14 2009 by Kathryn Smith, Evening Gazette

A DOMESTIC heating system being developed in the Tees Valley could help solve the UK’s looming home energy security problems.

Green energy company, Re-Freshco, is building a hydrogen based power system with the potential to replace traditional mains gas boilers.

The low-carbon system, which is safer and more efficient than conventional gas heating, could significantly reduce the domestic market’s dependence on the national grid.

Middlesbrough-based Re-Freshco is testing the system to see if it can also be retro-fitted to existing units, which would drive down costs further. It’s hoped the system could be on the market as early as next year.

MD Derek Foxcroft said he was in talks with experts at the University of Teesside and Wilton-based Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) to develop his ideas, after his own escalating household bills gave rise to a lightbulb moment for the innovative system.

He said: “I want to reduce people’s domestic heating bills while reducing the amount of CO² emissions.

“We have to look at the future. One day all the gas associated with production of oil will run out. Our system will certainly help existing gas supplies last longer. The domestic power market is one of the environmental clouds over our heads.

“Eventually, most boilers could be built in this way.”

The system looks like a traditional combination boiler but runs off hydrogen via an eco-pod unit and operates an automatic shutdown, making it safer than a traditional boiler.

The system is the latest in a long line of innovations which will aid the Tees Valley’s move towards a hydrogen economy. The next step for Re-Freshco is to approach large power companies for distribution.