IGas is bringing forward plans to deliver hydrogen generation systems at two existing sites in Surrey. The first is proposed for the Albury wellsite, located in dense woodland in Albury Park, within the boundaries of the existing IGas site.
The hydrogen will be created through a process called Steam Methane Reformation (SMR). This process involves the methane produced at the site being fed directly into a purpose-built generator to create hydrogen. More information about this process can be found on The Process section below.
Hydrogen produced at the site will be ultra-pure, and capable of being used in electrical fuel cells within vehicles (typically HGVs, trucks and buses); displacing the diesel which would otherwise have been used for fuel. The overall environmental emissions (even accounting for the CO2 released as part of the SMR process) are reduced and along with no diesel-combustion-related bi-products of NOx, SOx, or other harmful particulates, constitute a significant environmental improvement.
For every litre of petrol or diesel displaced from the transport system (approximately the amount a typical car might use to drive 6 miles) the release of c.3kg of CO2 is avoided.
By delivering this scheme, we will be contributing towards developing a clean fuel industry which is not dependent on petrol and diesel. We believe that providing a locally produced source of ultra-pure hydrogen will help to stimulate the use of this cleaner, alternative fuel.
The Albury-1 well was originally drilled in 1987 and operated for 20 years before being temporarily suspended. Planning permission for a gas export connection to the local network (‘Gas-to-Grid’) and electricity generation and export to the national grid (‘Gas-to-Wire’) was approved in 2017 and a new facility constructed. The current operations started in 2018 and have been ongoing since then.
The well site lies approximately 1km southeast of Albury village within Albury Park. It is accessed off New Road via a gated access track which runs from the eastern side of New Road. It lies some 7 km southeast of Guildford town centre, within the Parish of Albury. The closest residence lies some 200m to the northwest of the site.
The proposed hydrogen production facility will operate alongside the existing Gas-to-Wire and Gas-to-Grid facilities and processes and will consume approximately an additional 10-12% more gas. The hydrogen generator will have an output of up to 1000 kg of hydrogen per day.
SMR is a technology that has been in use for over ninety years. The process involves taking the gas and reacting it with steam to produce a mixture of hydrogen (H2), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The hydrogen is then purified to create a final product that will then be suitable for use in vehicle fuel cells.
In this process, CO2 is released in the same amount as if the gas were burnt in a boiler or gas engine. As this will happen at one location (in this case, our site), rather than the hundreds or even thousands of different locations where the gas might otherwise have been burned, it offers future opportunities for us to capture and use it in beneficial ways, or to store it.
Hydrogen produced at the site will be ultra-pure, and capable of being used in electrical fuel cells within vehicles (typically HGVs, trucks and buses); displacing the diesel which would otherwise have been used for fuel. The overall environmental emissions (even accounting for the CO2 released as part of the SMR process) are reduced because there are no diesel-combustion-related bi-products of NOx, SOx, or other harmful particulates, which constitutes a significant environmental improvement.
The installation of plant and equipment to facilitate the conversion of methane produced from the existing well, to hydrogen, for transportation off site via road tanker. This will take place via a process called Steam Methane Reformation (SMR) which is a widely used and safe process to produce hydrogen. To find out more, please visit our Virtual Exhibition.
This additiona process would require new equipment onsite to process the gas into hydrogen and filling stations to safely transfer the hydrogen ready for transport. This would not represent a significant change in noise or air pollution from the existing equipment.
This new equipment would be contained within the existing fenced compound, which is also screened by trees reaching as high as 25 m, thereby further reducing the potential for visual impact as viewed from the wider area.
The number of HGV movements to and from the site would naturally increase for a short period during installation. However, once operational, movements will be associated with the transportation of hydrogen off the site and for periodic maintenance c.up to four HGVs and four light goods vehicles per day. These levels are similar to those proposed with historic traffic management plans for other schemes at the site and, it is not considered that the proposal would have any impact on the highway network or on general environmental amenity.
As the UK moves towards its targets for net-zero carbon emissions, alternative uses for natural gas reserves have been investigated. The UK Government has acknowledged in its ‘Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’ that hydrogen has a key part to play in the energy transition, providing a clean source of fuel and heat for our homes, transport and industry.
Hydrogen is used as a clean source of fuel and heat for our homes, transport and industry. For example, the small-scale SMR proposed for the site would produce enough hydrogen sufficient to power between 25-50 buses every day. We hope that it will support the development of a new clean fuel industry in the South-East.
No. Hydrogen is a widely used gas across large sections of industry. Our application proposes the use of a highly advanced, containerised system. Methane will be converted to hydrogen as it is extracted and transferred directly from the SMR generator to the awaiting trailer unit and its 18 built in cylinders. Once full, it will be taken off site by HGV.
It is unlikely that any hydrogen produced will remain on site for longer than a day and will be in relatively small volumes of up to 750kg. In addition, the storage cylinders are individually sealed and adhere to all international safety standards whilst awaiting transport off the site.
The installation and works necessary to accommodate the installation of new equipment will result in a temporary minor increase of traffic to the sites. The equipment is being fabricated away from the wellsite and will be factory built and tested before being shipped to the Albury site. This will significantly reduce the need for additional vehicle movements during the installation period.
The number of HGV movements to and from the site would naturally increase for a short period during installation. However, once operational, movements will be associated with the transportation of hydrogen off the site and for periodic maintenance c.up to four HGVs and four light goods vehicles per day. These levels are similar to those proposed with historic traffic management plans for other schemes at the site and, it is not considered that the proposal would have any impact on the highway network or on general environmental amenity.
The application site is an established wellsite with an existing track which runs through an area of ancient woodland. An updated Ecological Appraisal was produced in December 2017 which will be submitted alongside the application. It is not expected than any changes will be required to adapt the existing site, or its access, which would impact wildlife or their habitats.
The production of hydrogen via the SMR method will produce no more CO2 than if it were used in a boiler or gas engine. However, as this will happen at one location, rather than hundreds or even thousands of sites, it offers an opportunity to capture the CO2 and use it in beneficial ways or store it.
The hydrogen produced will be capable of being used in electrical fuel cells within vehicles, which will displace diesel. For every litre of petrol or diesel displaced from the transport system the release of c.3kg of CO2 is avoided, along with other by-products such as NOx, Sox and other harmful particulates.
You can view the information in our virtual exhibition room by clicking on the number of each board. You can close the board and select another one by clicking to the side of the board.
Your views are important to us ahead of the submission of this application. Our public consultation is underway, and you can share your thoughts on our proposals in the following ways:
All feedback received will be logged and reviewed to help shape the final plans before an application is submitted to Surrey Council. All comments should be received no later than Friday 2nd July to ensure they can be taken into consideration before the final plans are submitted to the Council.
IGas Energy plc is a British company, listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. Our purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow; our vision is to be a leading energy company in a net zero world.
IGas has an existing onshore oil and gas exploration and production business, holding a portfolio of production and exploration assets in England. The business has more than thirty years’ experience of successfully and safely extracting and producing hydrocarbons onshore in the UK.
IGas is committed to the environment and providing safe and healthy working conditions for its’ employees and contractors. We are also committed to maintaining close and responsive relationships with the communities in which we operate and we have a long track record of engaging with local residents.
The protection of the environment is a core business objective for IGas. We are committed to working with regulators to ensure that any activity is undertaken safely and with as little impact to the environment as possible.
IGas operates an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System.
IGas Community Fund
IGas operates its own Community Fund which has distributed over £1million since 2008 to local projects that are charitable, educational or benevolent in purpose.
Over the years we have awarded grants to a number of local projects including:
Albury Parish Council
Shere Village Hall
For more information, visit our website: https://www.igascommunityfund.co.uk/
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the development team using the following details:
