2021: The Port of London Authority (PLA) is leading a consortium aiming to develop a UK hydrogen highway network which consists of land, sea and ports. The hydrogen highway could significantly support the integration of hydrogen technologies into a range of different sectors with six projects planned for the highway. The six projects cover energy diversity research, trialing hydrogen power generation for vessels based at the PLA’s Denton Wharf, establishing the business case for back hauling hydrogen into central London, ship design and health & safety requirements.
The maritime sector faces some of the most demanding challenges of our current generation. The UK is committed to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in future shipping, port operations and the maritime industry, to meet Climate Act targets. Reducing the use of carbon-based fuel for transport and energy intensive industries, this additional capacity presents an ideal opportunity to use surplus electricity for generation and storage of green hydrogen.
Maritime Hydrogen Highway aims to support the development of clean maritime technology, in line with the Government’s strategic vision for the future of the maritime sector Maritime 2050.
Eight core partners are investigating six key areas in energy diversity research, trialling hydrogen power generation for vessels, establishing the business case for marine transport of hydrogen, ship design and health & safety requirements.
It runs from late 2021 to autumn 2024.
The objectives of the Maritime Hydrogen Highway programme are:
- to test, model and develop smart, safe and economic solutions for:
- offshore hydrogen production
- transportation of hydrogen into urban and port areas
- autonomous vessel solutions to maximise the efficiency
- to develop and demonstrate the safe and effective use of hydrogen as a source of energy in a constrained maritime site
- to produce scalable UK wide solutions from lessons learnt in the project with appropriate frameworks to adopt clean fuels and smart technology to keep the UK ports and maritime sector competitive in a growing worldwide market.
Data sharing
The programme will provide opportunities for fast-paced, comprehensive development of knowledge, shared through the publication of reports.
Knowledge sharing
Tools, checklists and models will be developed at the end of the programme for wider use by operators, ports, investors and strategic planners in order to develop successful, safe and integrated routes for the adoption of zero emission fuels in UK ports and coastal waters.
Read more here, which includes updates on the outcome of the project.