Scottish consortium to develop green hydrogen shore power trial with CMDC funding

A Scottish consortium of four renewable and maritime companies has secured funding from the UK Government Department for Transport (DfT) to develop a green hydrogen shore power trial project at the Port of Leith.

As disclosed, the project was granted over £535,000 (around $679,000) as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4) to develop a UK-first approach that will use green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when berthed in port.

With support from Forth Ports, the trial will see the large tugs operating out of the Port of Leith powered by green hydrogen when tied up. The green hydrogen will be produced from wastewater.

The year-long trial aims to deliver a demonstrator system for green hydrogen shore power that marine vessels can use when they are berthed, removing the need for the diesel-powered systems that are currently in use on some quayside.

The project will be run by consortium partners Forth Ports, Waterwhelm, Logan Energy, and PlusZero.

Using specialist water treatment technology provided by Waterwhelm, fresh re-use water will be made from wastewater from the treatment works site in Seafield, Edinburgh, which will then be used to produce hydrogen at Leith Port.

Logan Energy and PlusZero will bring clean power solutions to the port. Furthermore, Logan Energy’s electrolyzer technology will be used to split the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen.

The 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 tug boats when they are in port, replacing the need for diesel generators.

Alasdair Smith, Commercial Director of Targe Towing, part of the Forth Ports group, said: “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. 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 emission-free whilst berthed.

“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 the Spring.”

Bill Ireland, Chief Executive Officer of Logan Energy, added: “Hydrogen-based solutions can play a pivotal role in decarbonisation and achieving net-zero targets both in the UK and globally.  We’re honoured to be part of this consortium that can develop one such application where our innovative solutions can benefit UK industry.

“Logan Energy’s fully integrated system approach will take green energy and Waterwhelm’s clean water supply and produce, compress, and store hydrogen for the purpose of powering PlusZero’s equipment, without producing any emissions.  This will be a key demonstration within the marine sector that can be easily replicated elsewhere.”