Announcement of the first high-power hydrogen barge for the electrification of docked ships
Published by Bella Weetch,
Editorial Assistant
Global Hydrogen Review,
The partners of the ELEMANTA H2 project announce the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy green or low-carbon hydrogen mobile solutions providing cold ironing services in addition to the electrical grid, for container ships, cruise ships or tankers. ELEMANTA H2 will also enable hydrogen bunkering to meet the refuelling needs of future hydrogen-powered ships. This collaboration of French experts aims to valorise skills and know-how in various fields, from naval architecture to hydrogen technologies, from the management of port infrastructures to the development of industrial asset integrity management software.
Maritime transport accounted for 13.5% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. Almost 77% of European external trade and 35% of EU internal trade is carried out by sea or river. In order to reach the European Commission's target of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, the maritime and inland waterway transport sector must accelerate its energy transition. ELEMANTA H2 aims to contribute to the decarbonisation of port activities.
The partners have identified the River Port of Rouen and more specifically the Rubis Terminal as a pioneer site, as it is strategically located between the Grand Port Maritime du Havre and the ports of Paris. With the support of Normandie Energies and the port operator HAROPA, a demonstration barge will integrate a multi-MW hydrogen fuel cell system manufactured in France, by HDF Energy. In addition, a high-pressure green hydrogen storage system will cover the need for autonomy during port calls. Sofresid Engineering will carry out the architecture and the integration of the equipment of the barge, which will be mobile to move as close as possible to the need and maximise its utilisation rate. A risk analysis based on innovative tools will be covered by Améthyste. Finally, Cetim will take in charge the quantification of the environmental gains brought by this zero-emission power-barge solution.
The ELEMANTA H2 demonstrator offers a low-carbon alternative to diesel generators that currently power these ships at berth, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 85% and all nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions during port calls. The power barge will be commissioned in 2025 for a 20-year operating period. The ELEMANTA H2 Rouen project, approved in April 2022 by the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, has been selected by the call for expression of interest Corimer 2022 launched by BPI France.
The partners' objective is to standardise and replicate this solution, with higher power levels, in the main European ports, which will thus become part of future major hydrogen hub projects. In the long-term, the use of liquid hydrogen or the addition of hydrogen bunkering services, a skill provided by ArianeGroup, could significantly increase the quantity of energy on board to offer a better service. Finally, the use of locally-produced hydrogen reduces the impact of the volatility of the international fossil fuel markets and thus strengthens French energy sovereignty and the resilience of these activities.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/04072022/announcement-of-the-first-high-power-hydrogen-barge-for-the-electrification-of-docked-ships/
You might also like
ITM Power secures two engineering contracts
ITM Power have been awarded two engineering contracts, one in Australia and one in Canada.
