Hydrogen viability at Portsmouth International Port to be explored
The UK is gearing up for increasing demand for hydrogen technologies both within the maritime sector and in other industrial sectors across the UK.
With hydrogen’s potential within the maritime industry, Cox Powertrain has joined a new UK-based consortium to convert a diesel engine to operate as a dual fuel hydrogen variant and implement hydrogen into Portsmouth International Port (PIP).
Dual fuel hydrogen engines hold particular promise within the shipping community with the sector recognised as a key area to decarbonise in order to reach net zero targets.
With weight and energy density key aspects of the shipping community and because of this, many within the maritime sector perceive hydrogen as a key zero-emission fuel to explore with its unique properties leveraging these demands.
Cox Powertrain recognises its potential and has said that the conversion and demonstration will form part of the wider Shipping, Hydrogen and Port Ecosystems UK (SHAPE UK) project that is targeting an achievable modular green hydrogen generation system within (PIP).
By introducing hydrogen technologies into one of the UK’s largest international ports, the nation is gearing up for increasing demand for hydrogen technologies both within the maritime sector and in other industrial sectors across the UK.
In fact, ports can be recognised as potential hydrogen hubs in themselves with many operations within the port able to utilise hydrogen as well as existing infrastructure in place to build hydrogen out.
The SHAPE UK project aims to support this particular intention with the project setting out several key aims for the PIP.
Included within this is assessing the viability of local hydrogen infrastructure by implementing a modular hydrogen electrolyser which could provide domestically produced hydrogen for both the port and the local area.
As well as this, a demonstration case for portside hydrogen is set to be explored through the partnership with Cox Powertrain and this could provide a foundation to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technologies at PIP.
Speaking on this development, Tim Routsis, CEO of Cox Powertrain, said:
“I see development of effective and useable hydrogen-based marine propulsion systems as essential if we are to drive down emissions while continuing to provide essential transportation systems.
“This is an area where the UK is excellently placed to develop the technologies and infrastructure which will both reduce pollutants and give birth to a vibrant new UK based economic sector.”
James Eatwell, Head of Research and Development for Cox Powertrain and SHAPE project lead for Cox Powertrain, said:
“The maritime sector as a whole and Cox in particular, recognise the need to make a positive contribution to the significant challenges of reducing worldwide CO2 emissions.
“From Cox’s perspective, hydrogen represents a highly promising option for the reduction of marine CO2 emissions, and we are delighted to be a part of this exciting project, bringing together as it does such a comprehensive range of expertise from across industry.”
