New plant captures carbon dioxide for fizzy drinks

A new power plant in Nottinghamshire is turning carbon dioxide (CO2) into an ingredient for fizzy drinks. Located near Worksop, the 10-megawatt facility captures and cleans CO2 from waste heat during electricity generation, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. This process helps create food-grade CO2, replacing manufactured gas and earning valuable carbon credits.

The modular plant also provides flexible power to the national grid, supporting renewable energy during periods of low wind or sunlight. Chief technical officer Roddy Elder explained that the plant uses liquid solvents to capture CO2, which is then cleaned and tested for purity, making it suitable for the food industry. This technology, adapted from air purification methods used in submarines, demonstrates an innovative approach to using existing solutions for climate challenges.

Co-founder Michael Avison emphasized the circular economy approach, where captured CO2 is repurposed locally, including for drinks in nearby pubs. The plant supplies electricity to around 10,000 homes and showcases how fossil fuels can be cleaner when combined with carbon capture.

Privately funded with a £40 million investment, the project has inspired plans to scale its design globally. Additional uses for waste heat include district heating or industrial processes, while CO2 can also be stored underground permanently.