Hybrid hydrogen/battery-powered vessel successfully tested in UK

Led by AceOn Group, the consortium successfully completed trials of a hybrid hydrogen and battery propulsion system installed on Newcastle University’s research vessel, Princess Royal.

The trials were part of the £4.6M (US$6.2M) Retrofittable Propulsion System for Electric Vessels with Hydrogen Range Extender (RESTORE) project, which is targeting the development of zero-emissions propulsion for vessels such as CTVs that service offshore windfarms. The project culminated in a landmark demonstration in the North Sea and River Tyne.

Funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered through Innovate UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC3), RESTORE transformed Princess Royal into a research platform for zero-emissions technology.

The project brings together a consortium including AceOn Group, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Engas Global, Newcastle University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Liverpool, Taurus Engineering, and CAGE Technologies.

AceOn Group chief executive Mark Thompson said, “AceOn was proud to lead a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of maritime innovation. This project is testament to the UK’s potential in clean maritime technology. We are committed to turning bold ideas into globally competitive products.”

Princess Royal was used to showcase the use of battery-electric propulsion supported by a hydrogen generator. Part of CMDC3, the project was delivered by Innovate UK, the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206M initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK marine industry.