Tugs could be powered by electricity generated using green hydrogen in a Scottish port using funding from the UK government
Port operator and tug owner Forth Ports is part of a consortium that will be granted £535,000 (US$679,827) from the UK Department for Transport to develop an innovative UK-first approach to clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when at berth.
Tugs owned by Forth Ports subsidiary Targe Towing will then be emissions-free while berthed, rather than using onboard diesel generators to provide electricity when at the quayside.
This grant will support a year-long trial run by partners Forth Ports, Waterwhelm, Logan Energy and PlusZero, to deliver a demonstrator system for green hydrogen shore power to vessels.
A first-of-its kind demonstration at a UK port, government and consortium partners hope this will lead the way for a circular-economy approach to port decarbonisation across the UK which would be useful for remote locations or areas where a connection to the main electricity grid is not available.
“This is an exciting project for Forth Ports and Targe Towing as we work towards our commitment to reduce carbon emissions across Forth Ports group operations by 2032, and becoming net zero by 2042,” said Targe Towing commercial director Alasdair Smith.
“Our tug fleet currently uses diesel-powered generators to provide electricity when tied up in port. This new green hydrogen system shows how tugs or other vessels can be completely emissions-free while berthed,” he explained.
“The project will also serve to widen our knowledge and experience of working with hydrogen, which provides a foundation for future endeavours towards a net-zero future. We look forward to starting this project with our partners in Q2 2024.”
Specialist water treatment technology will be provided by Waterwhelm, with wastewater from the treatment works site in Seafield, Edinburgh converted into fresh re-use water and used to produce hydrogen at Leith Port.
“Following a successful feasibility study, we are delighted to be partnering with Forth Ports, Logan Energy and PlusZero to deliver a combined demonstrator system at the Port of Leith for the production, storage and utilisation of green hydrogen to supply green shore power,” said Waterwhelm engineer and manager of research and development Richard Wood.
“Waterwhelm’s system will utilise waste heat and waste water to produce re-use water for the process – a new, innovative approach which is much needed to support the drive for decarbonisation while reducing the upcoming demand on local water networks.”
Green hydrogen specialist partners Logan Energy and PlusZero will apply electrolysis technology to bring the clean power solution to the port. Logan Energy’s electrolyser will split the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen.
Hydrogen will then be used as a clean fuel for PlusZero’s combustion engine which will generate green electricity to provide shore power for the tugboats when they are in port.
“Hydrogen-based solutions can play a pivotal role in decarbonisation and achieving net-zero targets, both in the UK and globally,” said Logan Energy chief executive Bill Ireland. “This will be a key demonstration within the marine sector that can be easily replicated elsewhere.”
The project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK.
“There is a huge amount of momentum behind hydrogen as an accelerator to the global energy transition,” said PlusZero managing director David Amos.
CMDC4 is part of UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme, a £206M (US$262M) initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
“Unlocking a sustainable maritime sector and the economic growth it provides relies on cutting-edge technology to propel it to the next level,” said UK Department for Transport maritime minister Lord Davies.
“The voyage to sustainability demands bold investments to not just deliver greener shipping but highly skilled jobs across the UK. Transformative solutions can help shape the future landscape of the maritime industry and support jobs in coastal communities.”
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