Empire Diversified Energy (Empire) and Heartland Water Technology (Heartland) have announced a partnership with Empire Green Generation to develop a facility converting food waste into renewable hydrogen and carbon at the Port of West Virginia, US.
The project is part of the Department of Energy’s Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), and is expected to begin operations in Q3 2025.
The project incorporates several technical steps into a unified process.
First, food waste is treated in an anaerobic digester, producing biogas and residual solid material (digestate).
Heartland’s proprietary HelioStorm™ ultra-high temperature ionic gasifier performs methane pyrolysis of the biogas to produce clean hydrogen and valuable sustainable carbon.
The digestate is processed through Heartland’s LTC Dry™ and HelioStorm™ gasifiers in a parallel pathway to produce an ultra-pure, tar-free synthesis gas.
This gas is then used to generate clean energy, powering the entire conversion system described, and reducing reliance on the grid and fossil fuels.
“The project not only aligns with our vision to redefine waste, it underscores the critical role of renewable hydrogen in shaping a sustainable, circular economy,” said Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland. “Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals, offering a path to decarbonise industries and energise communities in an environmentally responsible manner.
“Empire is a world-class developer of sustainable projects. We are excited to work together to deliver an exciting and impactful waste treatment and hydrogen generation plant.”
Bernard Brown, Empire COO, added: “The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is a beacon of innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector. By leveraging this hub as a pivotal platform for collaboration, research and development, we aim to demonstrate how strategic investments in decentralised hydrogen infrastructure and technology can yield significant environmental and economic benefits.
“The integration of Heartland’s HelioStorm technology into the project is a game-changer, harnessing groundbreakingly efficient methods to convert food waste into renewable hydrogen, propelling us toward our hydrogen goals.”