Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport, alongside project partners showcased on 13 March the world’s first Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator at the Port of Leith.
Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport, together with partners Forth Ports, Targe Towing, Logan Energy, PlusZero and Waterwhelm, revealed the world’s first Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator that uses clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when berthed in port.
As stated, the project integrates innovative water treatment, waste heat utilisation and hydrogen production to provide clean shore power for maritime operations. The project now sees the large tugs, operated by Targe Towing at the Port of Leith, now powered by green hydrogen when tied up.
Scotland has the potential to be a leading international hydrogen nation, and the Scottish Government is fully committed to helping the Scottish hydrogen sector develop and grow. We are creating a hydrogen economy that will provide economic benefit and a renewable and low carbon source of energy to help meet our net zero ambitions.
…said Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport.
The project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £236m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
The event, attended by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and senior stakeholders from industry and the hydrogen supply chain, delivered a live demonstration of the hydrogen-powered system and sessions on clean energy innovation. The event directly relates to the Forth Green Freeport (FGF) innovation objectives to grow the hydrogen economy and the alternative fuel market across the FGF area.
Using specialist water treatment technology provided by Waterwhelm, fresh re-use water is made from effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment works which is then used to produce green hydrogen at The Port of Leith without compromising local water supplies.
In addition, using a process known as electrolysis, Logan Energy’s electrolyser technology splits the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is then used as a clean fuel for PlusZero Power’s Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) powered generator which will generate green electricity to provide shore power for the tugboats when they are in port, replacing the need for polluting diesel generators.
This project shows how powerful collaborative innovation can be to prosper from the net zero transition. By working in partnership with the Department for Transport and companies throughout the UK we’re showing we can grow the UK economy and achieve our climate commitments.
…said Mike Biddle, Executive Director, Net Zero, Innovate UK.
