This provides power directly to the vessel when at birth, but during periods where supply exceeds demand, electricity is fed into a high-efficiency power management architecture provided by project partner HyWaves. HyWaves’ technology massively simplifies the architecture needed to operate Electrolysers to produce green hydrogen from solar power, delivering both an efficiency improvement and cost reduction.

Hydrogen is stored using low-cost, high-density MOF technology from Rux Energy. This stage is critical in providing long-term, cost-effective energy storage, managing seasonal and operational variations.

High efficiency Carnot Engines will then use Hydrogen fuel to provide on demand power. Shoreside generators will be connected to vessels whilst moored in port. Clean Air Power, a supplier of specialist injectors and valves for alternative fuels, will provide High Pressure Hydrogen Injection (HPHI^TM) technology to control the flow of hydrogen into the Carnot engine. This method of providing shore-to-ship power is known as Cold Ironing. 

The Manufacturing Technology Centre, the UK’s centre of excellence for manufacturing technologies, is providing expertise guiding the critical path to engine development and providing design for manufacture insight, optimised for additive manufacturing processes. This will then be tested at Brunel University London. Throughout this phase, Carisbrooke Shipping will provide the critical insight from a vessel operators perspective, including implications on regulations and operational requirements.

The project revolves around Freeport East, assisting with outreach and engagement with ports operators, shipping lines and the Trust Port, Harwich Haven Authority. Freeport East, CEO Steve Beel comments: “We are delighted to be part of this ground-breaking consortium looking at fresh approaches to greening the maritime sector, which brings together leading hydrogen innovators from across the UK”. 

Swanbarton and Brunel University are collaborating to develop the Energy Vector Analyser (EVA). EVA will help ports understand their current energy landscape and facilitate future planning. By evaluating a wide range of potential fuel, generation, and storage options, EVA seeks to minimise investment risks associated with unviable or obsolete technologies, thus avoiding stranded assets. This tool will enable ports to identify viable aspects of the hydrogen lifecycle within their full energy system enabling informed investment and ensuring they can offer future services like shore power, despite existing infrastructure and geographical constraints.

The entire project will then have the regulatory and certification oversight provided by Bureau Veritas.