Project Summary
Steamology’s emission-free power turbines provide a “plug-and-play” alternative to diesel engines in marine, rail, and road transport. However, the lack of hydrogen fuel bunkering at smaller ports impedes the adoption of zero-emission technology. The Zero Emission Port Bunkering (ZEPB) initiative aims to study and address this issue by examining the challenges of establishing bunkering and refueling infrastructure in small UK ports. The study will cover aspects such as renewable energy sources, electrolysis, gas compression and storage, supply chain, CAPEX, OPEX, and regulatory requirements for fueling Steamology and hydrogen technologies in workboats and small port marine traffic.
Project Achievements
This project directly addresses the Maritime Decarbonisation challenge. The main focus to understand decarbonisation of small/medium sized ports. Working in collaboration with Newhaven port, an example of a multi-modal organisation. The port is heavily reliant on internal combustion engines and infrastructure for their vessels. The project enabled a worked example to give solutions to a sustainable, clean and green, zero emission alternative. The main achievement has been the increased understanding of current hydrogen infrastructure technology. This has resulted in a large data base of suppliers and manufactures for each of the fuelling components, required to build a marine hydrogen fuel station. Extensive design work of two different hydrogen 3D CAD models were undertaken, using two potential sites at Newhaven. Steamologyhas developed connections with the offshore wind industry and Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) operators. These important business connections will be developed in future pilot scale projects.
Conclusions
The technology supporting the fuel production and storage of hydrogen is rapidly developing. While it’s shown the capital and operational expenses are high, with long manufacturing lead times. Hydrogen demand is increasing, many companies are entering the supply chain, with improved efficiency and cost effectiveness. The main output resulted in Steamologyto developing a full turn key technical/commercial model. The project has been successful, raising the TRL level with an end to end solution.
Next Steps
Steamology, is currently collaborating on a Workboat project to deliver a working quayside bollard pull demonstrator in Q2 2024, using, zero emissions steam generators / turbine and jet propulsion system. DuoDrive and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult have collaborated withSteamologyto study Crew Transfer Vessels for adaption to hydrogen / electric propulsion. Both projects will accelerate Steamology’s existing TRL, beneficial for commercialisation prospects. The TRIG project has enabled collaboration with ORE and Newhaven Port & Properties Ltd. Within the supply chain we have worked extensively with company’s supplying electrolysis, gas storage/compression, dispensing, certification and regulatory bodies. Further funding opportunities, A4I Innovations round 9 is ongoing, A4I round 10 is at stage 2. Submissions include A4I round 11. An application for CMDC4 strand 3 is currently being drafted. The upcoming Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) phase 3 is in scope for zero emission industrial steam and heating applications. Commercial diesel engine replacement or passenger and freight rail applications are progressing.
