Metacon AB's wholly owned Greek subsidiary, Metacon S.A. of Patras, Greece, has been awarded European Union project funding to develop and demonstrate hydrogen production from biomethane under the BIOH2VAP project.
The effective amount covered by the grant is approximately €241,920. Metacon S.A.'s project budget is €302,400, of which €241,920 is covered by public funding.
As part of the project, a pilot plant will be constructed at an existing industrial biogas plant in Ierapetra, Crete. According to the company, the plant will cover biogas upgrading, biomethane production, and demonstration of reforming-based hydrogen generation.
Operation and data collection under industrial conditions are intended to provide an opportunity to evaluate and refine technical performance and operating efficiency, and to prepare the technology for commercial deployment.
Metacon states that the project adds to the commercialization roadmap for its proprietary reforming technology and supports the development of hydrogen solutions that use renewable feedstocks. The company also says the project creates a platform for assessing how hydrogen production can be integrated with existing biogas infrastructure and local residue streams, with the aim of improving resource efficiency and strengthening the business case for circular hydrogen production.
Christer Wikner, President and CEO of Metacon, said the BIOH2VAP project gives the company a new industrial platform to demonstrate clean hydrogen production from biomethane and to optimize its commercial potential. He added that the project expands its industrial testing base for reforming technology and will support commercialization plans targeting future deployment at thousands of existing locations internationally where biogas infrastructure and local renewables are already available.