In a significant move towards a more sustainable future, the Stanlow-based EET Fuels, the trading name of Essar Oil UK, has unveiled the latest phase of its ambitious plan to transform its Cheshire facility into the world's leading low-carbon process refinery.
The company has announced that it has progressed to the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage of its Hydrogen Fuel Switching project at the Stanlow Refinery. This crucial step marks a critical milestone in the refinery's transition to hydrogen power, a clean and renewable energy source.
The hydrogen required for this project will be provided by EET Hydrogen, the company's co-located Track One low-carbon hydrogen production facility. To ensure the successful execution of this phase, EET Fuels has enlisted the expertise of Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, to coordinate the final designs of the fuel system that will feed into the refinery's hydrogen-ready crude distiller furnace.
Additionally, Wood will be responsible for redesigning the core infrastructure and control systems to enable the efficient and safe combustion of hydrogen. Completion of the FEED stage will pave the way for EET Fuels to make a final investment decision (FID) on the hydrogen fuel switching project next year.
"This project will enable fuel switching to assets like EET Fuels' hydrogen-ready crude distiller furnace, which is the first of its kind installed in any UK refinery and is capable of running on 100% hydrogen or a fuel-gas mix," the company stated. Once the furnace is operating on hydrogen from EET Hydrogen's production plant, it will reduce the Stanlow Refinery's emissions by an impressive 0.2 million tonnes per year.
Moreover, the progression of this project demonstrates EET Fuels' unwavering commitment to achieving its ambitious target of reducing CO2 emissions at the Stanlow Refinery by 95% by 2030. This significant milestone aligns with the company's broader vision of becoming the world's first low-carbon process refinery, ensuring security of fuel supply to the UK while maintaining employment in the country's industrial heartlands.
We have groundbreaking plans for EET Fuels in the UK with the Stanlow Refinery at its heart.
Said Deepak Maheshwari, EET Fuels CEO. "Hydrogen Fuel Switching is an integral part of these plans, and conducting the FEED alongside a great partner in Wood will allow us to confidently move forward to final investment decision."
As the world continues to grapple with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, the Stanlow Refinery's transition to hydrogen power represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. This project not only highlights EET Fuels' dedication to environmental stewardship but also underscores the company's commitment to shaping a greener, more resilient future for the UK's energy landscape.
Source: www.thebusinessdesk.com "Stanlow refinery begins latest phase of plant’s switch to hydrogen power" by Neil Hodgson
