A promising initiative at the Port of Gothenburg is nearing completion: a pilot project utilizing a hydrogen generator to provide electricity to berthed vessels. This innovative approach holds the potential to significantly reduce emissions in ports where traditional shore power connections are not practical or readily available, reports the Port of Gothenburg.
Onshore Power Supply
Utilizing shore-side electricity, known as On-shore Power Supply (OPS), to power docked ships instead of their traditional engines can lead to substantial reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The Port of Gothenburg pioneered this technology in the early 2000s, with the OPS facilities at Stena Line’s terminals for traffic to Germany and Denmark being among the first of their kind globally.
Despite the early adoption in Gothenburg, many other ports within the EU and worldwide lag behind, often lacking the necessary infrastructure for OPS. Implementing OPS systems requires significant financial investment and a strong underlying electrical infrastructure within the port.
In ports where OPS is not yet feasible, alternative solutions are being explored. Mobile hydrogen generators, such as the one currently undergoing testing at Stena Line’s Germany terminal in Gothenburg, present a potentially promising alternative.
As part of a two-week pilot project, a hydrogen-powered generator has been connected to Stena Line’s existing shore power infrastructure at the Port of Gothenburg. By using green hydrogen as its fuel source, the generator has successfully supplied electricity to the vessels Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica while they were docked. This pilot aims to assess the viability and effectiveness of mobile hydrogen generators as a cleaner power source for ships in port.
Meeting Regulations
A new EU regulation set to take effect in 2030 will mandate that container and passenger vessels utilize On-shore Power Supply (OPS) while at berth. A study conducted by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) estimates that this regulation will lead to a reduction of just over one million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Viktor Allgurén, Head of Innovation at the Port of Gothenburg, believes that hydrogen technology could play a significant role in helping ports meet these upcoming requirements. He stated, “Since the climate is a shared concern for us all, it is also in everyone’s interest that as many ports as possible around us succeed in meeting these demands. With our extensive experience in OPS, we are pleased to partner with Stena Line to serve as a testbed for this new technology, which may very well prove to be a viable solution for many ports.”
The hydrogen generator currently being tested at the Port of Gothenburg was developed by Hitachi Energy. Their technology partner, PowerCell Group, provides the generator’s power modules and expertise in integrating fuel cell technology. During the ongoing pilot project, the generator is operating on 100% green hydrogen supplied by the gas producer Linde Gas. This collaboration highlights the potential of green hydrogen as a clean and effective power source for ships while they are docked, especially in situations where permanent OPS infrastructure is not yet available
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Source: Port Of Gothenburg
