Fuel Cell Sensor - DNO prototype

A prototype project to test whether a fuel cell based sensor (FCS), developed by Loughborough University and Des19ncor Limited, is capable of sensing and calculating calorific values in natural gas, hydrogen and biogases in near real time, such that the FCS can be used to control gas quality (i.e., Wobbe index, relative densities and calorific values) in a fully integrated system for a gas Distribution Network Operator (DNO) company. The FCS has already been shown to work in an EU funded proof-of-concept project.

This project aims to assess, overcome and test the technical barriers for the adoption of the new technology in the market with DNO companies from gas utility and industrial backgrounds. Once commercialised, this environmentally and economically sustainable innovation will put "UK PLC" at the heart of the worldwide recovery from COVID-19 in a green technology area. This will help post-COVID-19 growth in the UK by providing local jobs and research opportunities.