The project integrates innovative water treatment, waste heat utilization and hydrogen production to provide clean shore power for maritime operations – an important step in the decarbonization of ports. The highly innovative project sees the large tugs, operated by Targe Towing at the Port of Leith, now powered by green hydrogen when tied up.
This project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4, funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK.
The event, attended by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and senior stakeholders from industry and the hydrogen supply chain, delivered a live demonstration of the hydrogen-powered system and sessions on clean energy innovation. The event directly relates to the Forth Green Freeport innovation objectives to grow the hydrogen economy and the alternative fuel market across the FGF area.
Using specialist water treatment technology provided by Waterwhelm, fresh re-use water is made from effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment works which is then used to produce green hydrogen at The Port of Leith without compromising local water supplies.
Waterwhelm’s leading technology enables water re-use and desalination processes to operate at significantly lower pressure, providing lower maintenance benefits as well as the world’s lowest-ever rate of electricity consumption and carbon emissions for water re-use.
Green hydrogen specialist partners Logan Energy and PlusZero apply their expertise to bring the clean power solution to the port – a significant collaboration that highlights major strides in Scottish hydrogen innovation. Using a process known as electrolysis, East Lothian-based Logan Energy’s electrolyzer technology splits the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is then used as a clean fuel for PlusZero Power’s Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) powered generator which will generate green electricity to provide shore power for the tugboats when they are in port, replacing the need for polluting diesel generators.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said, “This is a world first for Scotland - a Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator that uses clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when docked in port. It is really encouraging to see the Port of Leith leading the way and putting this kind of technological innovation into action.”
“Scotland has the potential to be a leading international hydrogen nation, and the Scottish Government is fully committed to helping the Scottish hydrogen sector develop and grow.”
Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of Forth Ports added, “This is an exciting green fuel transition initiative for Forth Ports and Targe Towing as we work towards our commitment to reduce carbon emissions across Forth Ports’ group operations to become net zero by 2042. This is the first project of its kind to be demonstrated at a UK port and we are thrilled that Targe Towing has been nominated for the prestigious Tug Innovation of the Year award.”
PHOTO: Pictured L-R: Stuart Wallace (CEO Forth Ports), David Amos (MD PlusZero Power) and Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Transport and on board the tug Balmerino at the Port of Leith
