Hydrogen afloat shore power hub validated

A UK Government-backed consortium has validated “one of the world’s first fully grid-independent hydrogen power hubs” capable of supplying clean electricity directly to vessels at berth without conventional shore-side infrastructure upgrades. The consortium says the project demonstrated that existing hydrogen, battery and fuel-cell technologies can be integrated into a deployable floating energy system suitable for ports facing grid constraints.

Led by ELIRE Maritime, the six-month Hydrogen Floating Power Hub Feasibility Programme was supported by a GB£1 million award through the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 6 (CMDC6), delivered by Innovate UK under the Department for Transport’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme. UK SHORE has provided funding to a broad range of clean maritime projects covering alternative fuels, vessel technologies and port infrastructure.

Shore power without grid upgrades

Conventional shore power installations often require major engineering works and lengthy permitting processes. This solution relocates that energy infrastructure to the water, where three modular hexagonal floating platforms occupy about 1,200 sq m. It is designed to provide 5 MW of continuous power output. ELIRE Maritime said the concept offers “a zero-emission, grid-independent shore power solution for maritime applications” capable of serving both large ocean-going vessels and smaller craft.

The consortium included ELIRE Maritime, Ricardo, Schneider Electric, Rux Energy, Triton Anchor, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and the University of Strathclyde. “Ports are under increasing pressure to decarbonise while facing major infrastructure constraints,” said Luke Jenkinson, founder and chief executive of ELIRE Maritime. “The Hydrogen Power Hub proves that ports do not need to wait years for grid upgrades to begin reducing emissions. We have validated a practical, scalable, and deployable system capable of delivering clean power directly where it is needed most.”

Focus on commercial vessel operations

At full configuration, the platform is designed to deliver approximately 91 MWh of energy per week and incorporates around 45 MWh of battery storage. The system is compatible with both 6.6 kV and 11 kV shore power connections, standards commonly used by commercial vessels. Hydrogen consumption is estimated at between 7,500 kg and 8,000 kg per week, stored in modular ISO-compatible containers integrated into the floating infrastructure.

The consortium said the system is capable of supplying medium-sized cruise ships and other large maritime assets directly at berth. For cargo ports, the concept could provide an alternative where conventional shore power projects are delayed by high installation costs, limited grid capacity, as noted at Rotterdam, for example. Rather than relying on oversized generating equipment, modular 1.3 MW fuel-cell systems operate continuously to charge onboard batteries before power is discharged when vessels connect.

Engineering validation completed

The feasibility programme included hydrodynamic, structural, electrical and operational assessments. Wave-tank testing undertaken by the University of Strathclyde in Scotland validated platform stability, motion response, structural integrity and multi-platform connectivity. Triton Anchor completed mooring and anchoring studies and reported no major technical barriers to deployment.

Schneider Electric validated the electrical architecture and battery systems, while Ricardo and Rux Energy assessed hydrogen storage and power conversion arrangements. The consortium concluded that the hydrogen generation, storage, battery integration and electrical systems could operate as a single deployable maritime energy platform.

Emissions and deployment potential

Analysis led by Ricardo indicated that the system could reduce vessel emissions at berth by approximately 77 per cent, compared with onboard diesel generation, even when hydrogen production, transport and storage are taken into account. The consortium estimates savings of around 47 tonnes of CO₂ per vessel each week, equivalent to approximately 2,444 tonnes annually.

ELIRE Maritime said discussions are now progressing regarding potential deployments in the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia, including locations in London, Hamburg, Singapore, Brisbane and Riga. The consortium estimates an addressable global market of around 62 TWh annually for grid-independent maritime energy solutions and argues that floating systems could offer a faster route to emissions reduction than conventional shore power infrastructure.