We track the progress of a carbon removal project through our certification framework. This roadmap moves from a preliminary assessment of eligibility toward full certification under the Puro Standard.
The facility has successfully completed the preliminary assessment conducted by the Puro team, meeting the minimum criteria for listing as a future supplier on Puro.earth.
The facility has passed the third-party facility audit, verifying compliance with the methodology, as well as output audit, verifying the net volume of removed carbon. The facility has been issued CORCs and continues its removal operations, as well as monitoring and reporting to Puro.earth.
Development status
We monitor a facility’s maturity as it moves toward industrial-scale operations. This status identifies whether a project is in development, under construction, or actively removing carbon from the atmosphere.
The feasibility study is ongoing. The Supplier is still collecting data to prove the concept.
The front-end engineering and design are ready and methodology compliant. There is a clear plan to monitor and measure. The LCA is up to the needed quality level or subject to small improvements. The technology has been used before. There are commercial agreements with the relevant business partners of the facility.
The facility is fully funded and is being implemented. Relevant infrastructure is being built.
The facility is operating as a carbon removal facility.
information
More about Onnu Green Hub Facility 1
Green Hub 1 is the first project among a series of pyrolysis projects to be developed in the UK that will pyrolyse problematic waste biomass into biochar and green energy while sequestering carbon. The Green Hub series aims to deliver positive climate action through carbon removal, regenerative agriculture, green energy generation and curbing pollution.
Located in Herefordshire, the project will target different streams waste biomass that are a potential threat to the environment. The green and arboricultural waste streams (like grass clippings, tree branches, and leaves) emit significant methane and CO2 emissions from current disposal methods like landfills, composting and anaerobic digestion. Furthermore, seasonal surges in green waste can overwhelm composting facilities, leading to inefficiencies, slower processing, and contamination of the compost, further reducing its quality. Some of these waste biomass streams are stored and directly applied on land, leading to polluted run-offs entering the river Wye, causing algal blooms and threatening the eco-system.
Onnu has developed a unique pyrolysis machine in partnership with engineering firm Woodtek that will pyrolyse these different waste biomass streams. With a vertical design, the scalable C1000 can effectively pyrolyse huge quantities waste biomass and convert it into biochar, a stable, carbon-rich material which locks away the carbon rather than releasing it back into the atmosphere. The syngas released from the process is combusted to generate green energy. A robust emissions scrubber with a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) ensures that no harmful gases are released into the atmosphere. The entire pyrolysis unit is fully automated with user-friendly HMI that aids in effective monitoring, tracking and controlling of the system to achieve maximum positive outcomes.
The biochar produced from the process is a highly effective soil additive that can promote water and nutrient retention. Enhancing microbial activity while balancing the soil pH, it is crucial in implementing regenerative agricultural practices in the region. The excess heat energy left after satisfying the unit’s self-sufficiency and drying requirements is converted into green electricity, which is being utilized for powering data centres running gen-AI tasks.
Biochar: The biochar produced on the site will be primarily used as a soil additive that will promote regenerative agriculture, resulting in improved crop yields. It will also be used as an additive in concrete, reducing emissions from the energy-intensive concrete manufacturing process.
Green energy: The advent of AI has been accompanied by a huge surge in energy demand for running the data centres. Our green electricity powers these gen-AI tasks and contributes towards driving a greener future by reducing their dependency on fossil-fuel powered grids.
Waste management and pollution control: Our project diverts waste regularly from landfills and river runoffs, effectively upcycling it into a climate positive solution. This not only promotes good waste management practices but also prevent the water pollution and damage in the Wye valley.
Green jobs and education hubs: The project will provide employment opportunities to the local population in the climate action sector. It will also act as a centre of education, as we will share all information with the farming industry in terms of poultry litter processing, net zero impact, biochar applications and local energy usage to help improve farming practices.
sdgs
Sustainable development goals
Only listed sustainable development goals (SDGs) have been assessed according to the Puro standard SDG Assessment Requirements and validated and verified by a VVB.
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