Driving Internationally the Uptake of Green Hydrogen for Ports

The National Composites Centre (NCC) is delighted to share news of our involvement in the international green hydrogen project to drive decarbonisation in the maritime sector. Led by UK SME Steamology, the Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime project will draw on our expertise in cryogenics and composites to accelerate the use of clean maritime technologies.

Freeport East has welcomed significant investment in an international green hydrogen project to drive decarbonisation in the maritime sector. The Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime (HyZEM) project will receive £1.44 million from Innovate UK and a similar sum from Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

HyZEM focuses on developing low-carbon green hydrogen technology for high powered workboats. The partnership was facilitated by Freeport East and includes leading UK and Australian businesses specialising in green hydrogen storage and propulsion technologies. The goal is to reduce the risks of deployment of new technology and accelerate the adoption of marine green hydrogen. The HyZEM project aims to demonstrate practical applications for green hydrogen storage and propulsion on vessels, including bunkering technology, port storage, refueling infrastructure, and how it will support local supply chains.  Freeport East aims to support deployment in the regions’ ports, with the number of tugs, workboats and offshore wind vessels in Harwich and Felixstowe making these technologies of particular relevance.

The international collaboration will support the development and adaptation of new climate-friendly, zero-emission technologies and will advance the use of green hydrogen in the maritime industry in both the UK and Australia. The partnership includes Steamology as lead, National Composites Centre, Duodrive Limited, Chartwell Marine Limited and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult. The Australian sister project is led by Rux Energy Australia.

Image Credit: Freeport East

Freeport East, a region benefiting from tax incentives to stimulate private investment, announced it received a £1.44 million grant from Innovate UK and a similarly undisclosed sum from Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. These funds are earmarked for the ambitious Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime (HyZEM) project, which seeks to integrate low-carbon green hydrogen technology into high-powered maritime workboats.
The initiative isn’t just about pioneering technology; it also intends to explore the practicalities of green hydrogen use in the maritime industry, including innovations in bunkering, port storage solutions, and refuelling infrastructures. Local councils in Essex and Suffolk back this effort, which involves a consortium of leading entities from both the UK and Australia, including the zero-emissions firm Steamology, the National Composites Centre (NCC), powertrain experts Duodrive Limited, maritime consultancy Chartwell Marine Limited, and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
Moreover, the project benefits from an international dimension with a sister initiative in Australia led by hydrogen specialist Rux Energy Australia. This collaboration aims to fast-track the adoption and development of zero-emission, climate-friendly technologies within the global maritime sector.
Furthering this goal, Freeport East, alongside the ORE Catapult, plans to foster regional innovation and strengthen ties between small—and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), global industry leaders, and academic circles in the field of renewable energy. Simultaneously, the NCC and Rux Energy’s Australian team are set to spearhead the creation of next-generation hydrogen storage systems, combining Rux’s advanced nanoporous materials with cutting-edge carbon composite tank technologies. This synergy could significantly enhance the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of high-powered maritime vessels such as tugboats and crew-transfer vessels.

Sources:  https://www.sustainabletimes.co.uk/post/freeport-east-garners-substantial-multi-million-pound-investment-to-launch-green-hydrogen-maritime-i

and  https://www.nccuk.com/news/freeport-east-welcomes-hyzem-funding/

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