Hydrogen on trial as shore power for tugs

Forth Ports – which owns the Port of Leith, where the year-long trial is happening – is working with Waterwhelm, Logan Energy and PlusZero to deliver a system for on-shore hydrogen, which is being produced from waste water that comes from a water treatment works nearby.

The hydrogen will power tugs when at berth to eliminate the use of conventional diesel, and the trial is planned to begin this spring.

The companies have each been awarded £535,000 (€634,000) from the UK government’s Department for Transport as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 to deliver the trial, and one of the benefits of using hydrogen, the partners say, is that it could be used in more remote ports where grid connections are not available.

Waterwhelm will provide the water treatment technology; Logan Energy will provide the electrolysis technology; and PlusZero will provide the combustion engine that generates the electricity for the tugs to use when they are at berth.

“Our tug fleet currently uses diesel-powered generators to provide electricity when tied up in port,” said Alasdair Smith, Commercial Director of Targe Towing, part of the Forth Ports group. “This new green hydrogen system shows how tugs or other vessels can be completely emission-free whilst berthed.”