A pioneering technology under development in North Wales may provide the breakthrough needed for cost-effective carbon capture on a global scale.
Robert Lim Inventions, in collaboration with Bangor University, is on the cusp of unveiling a new enclosed engine system designed to capture carbon dioxide while generating electricity. The Deeside-based company, led by James Sheridan, is now seeking additional funding to move the project towards commercialisation.
Supported by a £10,000 Skills Innovation Voucher (SIV), the company is working closely with Bangor University to rigorously analyze and assess the carbon capture capabilities of the new system. The SIV scheme, part of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, offers opportunities for companies in Gwynedd, Anglesey, and Flintshire to collaborate on research and innovation projects.
Robert Lim Inventions has teamed up with Professor Michael Rushton and his team at Bangor’s Nuclear Futures Institute to conduct critical testing on a key component of the technology. Once this phase is completed, the company hopes to secure investment to bring the product to market.
James Sheridan, a prominent entrepreneur based in Anglesey, continues to lead the company following the passing of its founder, Robert Lim, last year. Sheridan is determined to honor Lim’s legacy by ensuring the system reaches the global stage.
“Robert’s vision was groundbreaking. He designed a prototype and secured a patent for a system that captures carbon dioxide while producing electricity, making the process more cost-effective. We believe that if we can prove the concept, it could be key to adopting this technology on the global scale needed to combat climate change,” said Sheridan.
With rising carbon dioxide levels posing a significant threat to the planet, Sheridan believes this technology could play a critical role in global de-carbonization efforts. Governments worldwide are implementing aggressive clean growth targets, and innovations like this could be essential in helping to meet those goals.
Nicola Sturrs, Bangor University’s business development manager, emphasized the importance of the collaboration. “This project demonstrates how academic support can be pivotal in advancing cutting-edge ideas. The enclosed engine system has the potential to make a significant impact in the drive toward net zero, as both public and private sectors look for ways to reduce their carbon footprints.”
The SIV project, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, provides businesses with access to various types of vouchers. These can be used for research and development, consultancy, skills training, and access to specialist equipment and knowledge, among other areas.
As the project advances, Robert Lim Inventions hopes to not only bring a critical technology to the market but also contribute meaningfully to the global fight against climate change.