Worthing Crem switches to hydrogen energy for world-leading trial
The HyCrem trial is part of a £1.1m funding package that was awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Worthing Crematorium has become the first in the world to trial a switch to cleaner, greener hydrogen energy.
Known as the Worthing HyCrem project, it involves one of the three cremators at the site being powered exclusively by green hydrogen for a four-week period. This is reportedly a world first.
The project emerged as Worthing Borough Council aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. However, they found that Worthing Crematorium has the largest carbon footprint of any of the sites.
Worthing Borough Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and since then committed to improving the environment to become a carbon neutral local authority by 2030 and a net zero borough by 2045.
HyCrem Project’s process uses green hydrogen, which is produced using electricity from renewable sources. Unlike natural gas, hydrogen doesn’t give off carbon emissions when burnt.
The HyCrem trial is part of a £1.1m funding package that was awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through its £55m Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, which forms part of the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).
The HyCrem project has been in development for over a year and is a joint effort, with FT Pipeline Systems acting as lead partner to Worthing Borough Council.
In addition, the University of Brighton will be monitoring the air quality throughout the four-week trial and will identify any changes in emissions. A business case will be developed to permanently reduce emissions at the crematorium thereafter.
Cllr Sophie Cox, cabinet member at Worthing Borough Council, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of this world-leading project, which will help us and other local authorities deepen our understanding on how to use technology to reduce carbon emissions at energy-intensive buildings like crematoria.”
Abigail Dombey, HyCrem project manager at Net Zero Associates, added: “The transition to net zero will involve all areas of the economy, including cremations. It’s incredibly exciting to be part of this project which will identify how we can do so – and is even a world first.”