The investment will help DNV demonstrate the safety of technologies that will underpin the push to Net Zero for all companies and organisations.
With greater emphasis on interactivity and immersive technology, the site will feature 4k streaming capability, enabling corporates globally to watch demos in real time. Other features include AV equipped rooms and a 200-seater lecture hall.
For more than 45 years, Spadeadam, which is located on a RAF base, has conducted large-scale research to assess the consequences of major hazards and their effects on people and properties.
DNV’s latest investment in the site will create a shared space where operators, regulators and technology providers can come together to co-develop clean energy technologies.
By combining conventional oil and gas expertise with emerging technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) the facility plays an important role which is set to grow.
Hari Vamadevan, Senior Vice-President and Regional Director, UK & Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV, said, “As the global energy landscape continues its evolution, balancing traditional energy expertise with sustainable transition pathways is more critical than ever.
“Our latest Energy Transition Outlook shows that although peak energy emissions have already passed, the decline that follows is too slow to put us on track for global climate goals. That is why action, and particularly collaboration, is so important right now.”
Vamadevan added that Spadeadam brings the industry together in a controlled environment where it can rigorously test new technologies, simulate real-world risks, and share lessons learned.
The facility is also hosting DNV’s landmark Skylark joint industry project, which is advancing safety standards in carbon dioxide pipeline operations.
Alongside research and development are courses designed to simulate real-world scenarios, such as hydrogen leak simulations.
DNV recently validated Electric Hydrogen’s (EH2) HYPRPlant, confirming that it has been engineered to established industrial hydrogen plant criteria.