From the tap to the future: How CO₂ is becoming a valuable resource

The door of the old pub creaks softly. It smells of freshly tapped beer. In the corner, a band plays traditional tunes softly. The guests laugh and chat as they raise their glasses. What most of them don't know is that the CO₂ that makes the beer fizz doesn't come from traditional industry, but from a power plant in the small British town of Worksop in the heart of the UK. This is where a technological story with potential for the energy transition begins.

A power plant with a new ambition

Rolls-Royce, energy service provider Landmark, and carbon dioxide specialist ASCO have commissioned a 10-megawatt gas engine power plant there that does not simply emit CO₂—it recovers it. The power plant supplies electricity for around 10,000 households, makes good use of waste heat, and relies on CO₂ as a valuable resource.

CO₂ becomes a marketable resource

The recovered CO₂ is purified, liquefied, and reused in the food and beverage industry. Up to 30,000 tons of CO₂ are produced annually as a by-product of energy generation – and become a new source of income.

Technology meets climate protection

"Flexible carbon capture gas engine power plants are an important and economical technology, especially in times of renewable energy expansion, to ensure a stable decentralized energy supply while reducing CO2 emissions," explains Michael Stipa, Vice President Business Development, Strategy and Product Management Stationary at Rolls-Royce's Power Systems division. With the growing share of renewable energies, they ensure grid stability while reducing the carbon footprint because, for example, the CO₂ for beer tapping does not have to be produced extra , but instead the carbon dioxide that is produced in the power plant anyway is used.

Strong partnerships as a foundation

The project was developed in collaboration with Victory Hill Capital Partners and Landmark Power. Mick Avison, Managing Director of Landmark, emphasizes: "We are proud that we are making significant progress in our mission to combat climate change and promote clean energy practices through the construction of our power plants, and we are delighted to have Rolls-Royce and ASCO Carbon Dioxide as partners on this journey."

A scalable model for the future

The CO₂ capture technology developed by ASCO Carbon Dioxide Ltd. can be transferred to other power plant sites. Ralph Spring of ASCO says: "Carbon capture is one of the key technologies for the energy transition and will play an even more central role in the coming years as CO₂ emission taxes, regulatory requirements, and mandatory net-zero climate targets increase."

Sustainability with a side effect

The project shows that CO₂ is not just an emission, but can become part of a functioning energy cycle. What makes beer sparkling and enjoyable begins with a leap in technical innovation—made for an energy transition that is both economical and effective.