Valencia is to become the first port in Europe to use hydrogen energy to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. A machine of the type reach stacker will handle containers and a terminal tractor for ro-ro operations will be the first machines powered by hydrogen batteries that will operate in real conditions in the harbour.
Mainly, the initiative supported by port of Valencia focuses on using renewable energy.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
The pilot project, called H2Ports, also combines the installation of a mobile hydrogen supply station, or “hydrogenera”, which in the initial phase of the project will work in the Grimaldi (Valencia Terminal Europa) and MSC terminals in the Port of Valencia.
Also, the terminal will be based on criteria as safety and economic profitability with the aim of contributing to the decarbonisation of the logistic-port chain.
The strategy was boost in June 2017 when the port authority of Valencia and port foundation collaborated in promoting the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in the port of Valencia.
By the implementation of H2Ports project, the port of Valencia paves the way on finding less polluting fuel to use in ports and contributes to the decarbonisation of transport activities.
The investments will cost approximately 4 million. The participants will consist of Valencia port authority, the Valenciaport Foundation, the National Hydrogen Center, and the private companies MSC Terminal Valencia, Grimaldi Group, Hyster-Yale, Atena, Ballard Power Systems Europe and Enagas.
Finally, the project is funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) initiative, a public-private partnership that promotes the adoption of hydrogen as a low-emission alternative and receives support through the Research and Innovation programs Horizon 2020 of the European Union.
