UFPR inaugurates pilot plant that produces renewable hydrogen from food waste without using water

On the 17th, the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) inaugurated a pilot plant dedicated to the production of renewable hydrogen using food waste. Located at the Polytechnic Center, the initiative aims to contribute to decarbonization and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the Low-Carbon Hydrogen Legal Framework. The project was selected first in the 2023 Copel GeT Public Call, with funding from the Copel-Aneel R&D program.

Innovation and Sustainability on an Experimental Scale

The pilot plant represents a milestone for energy research in Brazil by developing a hydrogen generation process without using water—a rare and environmentally beneficial technological solution. Using anaerobic biodigestion of organic waste from the University Restaurant, which serves approximately 14,000 meals per day, the system converts biogas into high-purity hydrogen through "dry catalytic reforming." The process involves thermochemical conversion, purification via PSA, storage and subsequent conversion into electricity by fuel cells.

Clean Mobility and Model Replication

During the inauguration, the team presented a hydrogen-powered electric bicycle, a symbol of the practical and sustainable applications this technology can offer. The plant also demonstrates the feasibility of renewable ammonia production and electricity generation integrated into the university cafeteria network, with automated management and artificial intelligence optimization.

Called Biogas-to-H2 Paraná (B2H2), the project received R$7.6 million and brings together UFPR, Copel, the company Gás Futuro, Senai Pernambuco, and the Association of Researchers of the Northern Region. The multidisciplinary team, comprised of professors of chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and exact sciences, is committed to replicating the model as the basis for new clean energy solutions in Brazil—a firm step toward a circular and low-carbon economy.