For Andrew Cunningham, the quest for a more sustainable energy network in the UK and beyond has been a personal endeavor for over a decade.
The CEO of the zero-emission energy provider GeoPura believes that businesses can implement sustainable practices while still making a profit. He is demonstrating this with GeoPura, a venture he initiated in 2019 that offers Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) to deliver zero-emission electricity anytime and anywhere it is required, functioning either as a complement to or independently from the national grid.
From music festivals and sporting events to Ministry of Defence facilities and power generation sites, GeoPura’s HPUs present a cleaner alternative to polluting diesel generators. These portable power units provide scalable green energy solutions across various sectors, including construction, film and television, live events, electric vehicle charging, and critical infrastructure.
The Newcastle-based firm represents an innovative partnership with Siemens Energy, the culmination of over 12 years’ worth of research and development led by engineer Andrew, who has made substantial personal financial contributions to the initiative.
GeoPura was recently awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category, acknowledging its pioneering efforts. This distinguished award celebrates the creation and commercial success of HPUs, a revolutionary technology that enables scalable zero-emission energy on a wide scale.
Andrew shared his feelings: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise is a significant acknowledgment of the diligence, innovation, and commitment of the entire GeoPura team and our collaborators.”
“In a time when the demand for clean, dependable energy has never been more urgent, this accolade supports the movement toward green hydrogen and zero-emission fuels. Our Hydrogen Power Units are promoting the replacement of harmful fuels such as diesel and HVO, which pose risks to health and the environment.”
GeoPura’s HPUs are manufactured on a large scale in the North East, through a longstanding collaboration with Siemens Energy at its CA Parsons Works facility in Newcastle. This partnership is crucial for creating jobs in the region, enhancing the supply chain, and facilitating apprenticeships, thereby advancing the UK’s net-zero goals.
GeoPura currently provides two main units, the HPU1 and the more robust HPU2, suited for large events and extensive EV charging. These units harness green hydrogen, obtained from renewable electricity, to supply reliable power ranging from 50kW to 50MW in areas where the electricity grid is either lacking or inadequate. By employing fuel cell technology, the units convert green hydrogen into electricity, with only water and heat generated as by-products.
The public health advantages are considerable, as air pollution from diesel engines has been associated with heart and lung diseases, leading to tens of thousands of premature fatalities each year in the UK.
Andrew Cunningham emphasizes that companies must adopt green energy for the sake of humanity and the planet’s future. He stated, “It’s critically important. It’s a question of survival; certainly the survival of life as we know it.”
“There is absolutely no doubt that climate change driven by human activity is genuine, and the indications are worsening at a disturbing pace.”
Reflecting on GeoPura’s journey, Andrew noted, “I never had any doubts about the technology functioning. As an engineer, GeoPura was established based on over 12 years of research and development. The key question was, could we create a commercial model that would gain financial support? We have, confirming that businesses with an environmental focus are indeed sustainable.”
GeoPura’s HPUs are trusted by prominent organizations such as Balfour Beatty, the BBC, National Grid, and the MOD. Recent projects include:
GeoPura was engaged by power plant owner Uniper to provide HPU energy during maintenance at Cottam Development Centre Natural Gas Plant, achieving a reduction of 17 tonnes of CO2.
At the Isle of Wight Festival, GeoPura’s units powered crew and artist zones, resulting in a cut of 9.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
For the 2024 Touch Rugby World Cup in Nottingham, GeoPura’s hydrogen-powered solutions led to a decrease in carbon emissions by 6.6 tonnes.
GeoPura collaborated with the Ministry of Defence, implementing hydrogen energy on military bases and saving 31 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Discover more about GeoPura on their website.
