Validation programme
The six-month validation programme included hydrodynamic, structural, electrical and operational activities.
Wave tank testing conducted by the University of Strathclyde validated platform stability, structural integrity, motion response and multi-platform interconnectivity across varying sea states.
Triton Anchor Europe completed mooring analysis, anchor system validation, procurement review and installation planning.
Ricardo UK and Rux Energy UK validated the hydrogen-to-power systems, integrating modular low pressure hydrogen storage with hybrid fuel cell technologies and power systems.
Schneider Electric engineered and validated the electrical architecture, including grid forming inverter systems and battery energy storage systems capable of delivering stable utility-grade power across both 50Hz and 60Hz networks.
The programme confirmed that the complete system, i.e. hydrogen generation, storage, battery integration, electrical architecture and floating infrastructure, operates cohesively as a deployable maritime energy to power solution.
Port decarbonisation
The hydrogen power hub is expected to become an important component in the decarbonisation of ports and shipping, with challenges to the electrification at scale of berthed vessels with land-based infrastructure.
Feasibility stage emissions analysis led by Ricardo UK are reported to have demonstrated that the system may reduce vessel emissions at berth by approximately 77% compared to conventional onboard diesel generation, even when accounting for hydrogen production, transport, storage and operational losses.
The analysis indicates that it could eliminate approximately 47t of CO₂ emissions per vessel per week, equivalent to approximately 2,444t annually per vessel under current operation, while also significantly reducing NOx, SOx and particulate emissions through the elimination of diesel engine operation during berth stays.
The consortium estimates a global addressable market of approximately 62TWh annually for grid-independent maritime energy solutions, particularly in ports where conventional shore power deployment remains constrained or economically impractical.
Currently the hydrogen-powered system is more expensive than conventional diesel or grid electricity, estimated at approximately £0.25–£0.50/kWh, compared to the conventional shore power of approximately £0.15–£0.25/kWh.
However, the consortium believes future reductions in hydrogen pricing, manufacturing scale, modular standardisation and system optimisation could significantly improve the commercial competitiveness over time.
With the validation completed, ELIRE Maritime is now progressing discussions for similar and larger scale deployments from the UK to Europe and Australia.
