A Norwegian consortium comprised by four local players, PSW Power & Automation, Westgass Hydrogen, CCB and H2 Production, has been established to provide a high-capacity hydrogen-based shore power solution to the maritime sector.
The ground breaking system, which has been designed by PSW and piloted over this autumn at CCB’s shipyard in Ågotnes, was demonstrated to the maritime industry at on 19 September.
Overcoming electricity grid capacity challenges
The maritime sector is under pressure to decarbonize its operations. Supply boats, cruise ships, drilling rigs and fish farms have a high requirement for electricity – each can consume the equivalent of the power requirement of 400-500 houses for their on-board operations. Currently, they rely heavily on diesel generators.
Connecting to onshore power supply when docking at shipyards is a preferred solution to reduce emissions. CCB are a leading provider of shore power facilities to the maritime sector. However, they face significant challenges in meeting demand due to capacity constraints in the electricity grid.
“It is important that ports across the country offer zero-carbon solutions to the maritime sector. Shore power can be a quick and easy win, and we want to provide clean energy to our customers. However, grid capacity is an issue – there is simply not enough to satisfy megawatt scale demand. We need to speed up this work to reach the goals that have been set, says Jan-Dagfinn Lund, CEO at CCB.
A first of its kind
PSW’s solution is designed with flexibility, reliability and safety in mind. It caters for the high capacity needs of major actors in the sector, for example supply boats, cruise ships, drilling rigs and fish farms. It works by using clean hydrogen to drive fuel cell generators, which in turn generate high-capacity electricity.
“This supply of electricity can then be integrated into existing grid connected facilities, or work on a standalone basis for a complete off-grid offering. The system generates no pollutants, with its only other outputs being steam and heat. This solution is the first of its kind in a commercial setting. A major milestone was to ensure we adhere to the highest safety and reliability standards,” says Eirik Sørensen, General Manager at PSW Power & Automation.
Zero emissions
Havila Foresight, a platform supply vessel chartered by Equinor, were charged during the demonstration event], which attracted key stakeholders across the value chain to witness the zero-emission offering.
“It’s quite incredible. When the ships turned off their engines and switched to the shore power facilities, all you could see was some steam from the generator. No noise, no fumes. It is important to society and our environment to see more of this going forward” said Tom Georg Indrevik, Mayor of Øygarden.
Country-wide supply
A key component to deliver a complete end-to-end set up across Norway is the supply and distribution of clean hydrogen supply itself. Westgass is developing a country-wide network to safely and reliably deliver clean hydrogen wherever and whenever it is needed.
“The energy transition needs to be convenient for end users. And it has to make commercial sense. As an energy company, it is our responsibility to make this happen through competitive sources of clean hydrogen in a safe and reliable manner. We have to handle all the supply chain complexities and risks so customers can make an easy switch” says Kinar Kent, CEO of Westgass. “Of course, this is not a simple challenge, but we have done our part to show we are ready. We now need the right levels of commitments from clients and government stakeholders for a full-scale rollout.”
The clean hydrogen for this pilot was sourced by Westgass.
Future clean hydrogen supply to Ågotnes will come from H2 Production’s Energy Park in Øygarden. This will be one of several important green establishment that occurs in the Energy Park as a consequence for hosting the CCS facility within Norway’s largest climate investment through the project “longship”.
“The Energy Park is a unique location and an important industry hub to ensure a complete and sustainable value chains within green industries, as well as local solutions” says Ronny Haufe, CEO at CCB Energy and H2 Production. “We are creating a production and distribution hub for future users of hydrogen and hydrogen/energy carriers for industries to achieve the lowest possible carbon footprint and contribute to reaching their climate goals.”
Westgass in brief
Westgass Hydrogen is a clean energy company focused on accelerating the transition from fossil fuels in Europe and emerging markets. They are enabling customers to run carbon neutral businesses by 2030 using clean hydrogen.
Stay up-to-date with their achievements via their LinkedIn or website
PSW Power & Automation brief
PSW Power & Automation delivers complete solutions within electrification and renewable energy. The company specializes in the design and integration of electrical power systems, electrical infrastructure, energy storage systems and control systems.
Stay up-to-date with their achievements via their LinkedIn or website
CCB in brief
CCB is located at Ågotnes in Øygarden. At Ågotnes you will find one of the Norwegian largest base facilities which includes a total of 1,000 m quays, some with very good depth conditions (50 m) and no weight restrictions, 68,600 m² of workshop and warehouse buildings and 20,600 m² of office buildings. CCB offers varied services to energy/ petroleum-related and maritime operations. CCB also offers maintenance and classification of rigs and vessels. CCB can provide storage facilities (indoor/ outdoor), mobilization services, logistics and port services and shore power solutions.
Stay up-to-date with their achievements via their LinkedIn or website
H2 Production in brief
In Øygarden, outside Bergen, CCB Energy offers a climate-focused industrial park. Activities related to the Energy Park include clean hydrogen production, marine farming, CO2 industries and the location for the worlds first open reception, disposal and storage of CO2 (CCS). The site offers availability of resources such as natural gas in pipelines, liquefied natural gas (LNG), waste heat and close to main marine main route and future Bergen City harbor.
Stay up-to-date with their achievements via their Linkedln or website
