The project brings together Dearman and its partners – Hubbard Products, Air Products, Productiv, Wessington Cryogenics and Loughborough University – each of which will bring specific expertise to the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of the technology.
Government funding will be matched by the consortium, bringing the total investment to £15.5 million.
The Dearman engine is driven by the expansion of liquid nitrogen and can be used to produce clean cold and power for applications across transport, logistics and the built environment.
The most advanced application of Dearman technology is a zero-emission transport refrigeration system, developed in conjunction with Hubbard Products, as a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel-driven units. The system is currently on trial with Sainsbury’s.
The latest funding will be used to support further applications, including to an air conditioning and auxiliary power system for buses, which in hot climates can consume more than a third of the vehicle’s diesel.
Toby Peters, founder and CEO of Dearman, says: “Globally we face a major challenge, how can we reduce our impact on the environment, while continuing to grow the economy. Technology such as the Dearman engine has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to achieving both goals.
“It’s a low cost zero emission technology, which can improve the efficiency of diesel engines, or replace them entirely in some applications, without imposing increased costs on business. It can have a major impact on the air quality of our cities and help to address climate change.
“Because of all this, the clean cold and power technology we are developing with our partners, has the potential to be exported to fast growing economies around the world, helping them to meet their booming energy needs without creating disastrous environmental consequences.”