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Ricardo at Innovation Zero 2025
The journey to net zero is not just about compliance – it’s about reimagining how we power, move, and sustain life on Earth. The technologies Ricardo is showcasing are more than product developments; they’re visionary solutions rooted in rigorous engineering and a deep understanding of the sustainability imperative.
As visitors to Innovation Zero will see first-hand, the future isn’t something we have to wait for – it’s something we’re already building.
Multi-stack hydrogen fuel cell: power for sea and shore
Maritime emissions are a growing concern, with shipping representing around 3% of global CO₂ output – and rising. Ricardo is helping to chart a new course with its work on a hydrogen-powered propulsion system designed for the next generation of zero-emissions passenger ships.
Working with an international consortium, Ricardo has engineered a modular, containerised hydrogen fuel cell system – delivering 3 MW of clean power per 40-foot container. Each sub-module (approx. 400 kW) is optimised for power density and thermal efficiency, designed to integrate smoothly with ship systems and meet stringent marine safety standards.
Space is money on passenger vessels, so these compact, high-performance modules offer a compelling advantage. By reducing component count, simplifying system integration, and reclaiming waste heat for onboard needs, this innovation paves the way for hydrogen to become a viable and scalable marine fuel.
Alumotor: the environmentally efficient e-motor solution
Electric vehicles are widely recognised as a pillar of the low-carbon future, yet their rapid global uptake is putting significant strain on supply chains and critical material resources. Enter Ricardo’s Alumotor – a game-changing electric motor design that strips away reliance on copper windings and rare-earth magnets, replacing them with aluminium hairpin windings and a magnet-free rotor.
This radical redesign not only slashes material costs by over 40%, but it also enhances supply chain resilience by avoiding ethically and geopolitically complex materials. More importantly, it doesn’t sacrifice performance. Ricardo’s engineering team has carefully balanced cost, durability, and scalability to create a motor platform ideal for light commercial, off-highway, and specialist vehicles.
This is the kind of forward-thinking, materials-conscious innovation that will be essential to electrify hard-to-reach segments and deliver net zero transport at scale.
Decarbonising heat and power generation
As net zero deadlines loom, organisations face a daunting challenge: decarbonise operations while staying competitive. Ricardo’s Bioccus solution offers a transformative answer – an integrated energy system that turns sustainably sourced biomass into three high-impact climate solutions: biochar, captured carbon dioxide, and renewable heat and power.
Through a combination of pyrolysis and advanced chemical absorption, Bioccus captures up to 95% of CO₂ emissions from biomass combustion. Around half of the carbon in the feedstock is locked into biochar – a valuable soil amendment that also reduces methane when used in livestock feed. The rest is captured from the flue gas and converted into industrial-grade CO₂, suitable for low-carbon concrete production or food and beverage use.
Unlike many theoretical carbon capture solutions, Bioccus is built to operate commercially and efficiently – delivering 16,000 tonnes of CO₂ removal annually. This innovation is precisely what’s needed to balance hard-to-abate emissions while generating low-carbon heat and power for industry.
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