It is hoped the funding will help to ensure a resilient supply of hydrogen from Eday, Orkney to the Scottish mainland as well as improving future connectivity between emerging regional hydrogen hubs in the North of Scotland and its islands.
The funding was announced by Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Transport for the Scottish Government during a trip to Orkney to see EMEC’s hydrogen operations.
Matheson, said, “Scotland has the resources, the people and the ambition to become a world leader in hydrogen production – no more so than in Orkney, which is at the vanguard of our green energy revolution. The Scottish Government is committed to working with the energy sector to establish hydrogen as an important part of our cleaner, greener energy system and deliver a fair and just transition to Net Zero.
“Our partnership and support of EMEC has helped to pave the way for a number of world-first tidal and hydrogen demonstration projects in Orkney. These projects have been instrumental in developing both hydrogen supply and demand on the islands. These trailers will help support a number of hydrogen projects on Orkney and help it continue to lead the way in Scotland’s emerging hydrogen sector.”
In 2021, the EMEC announced it would explore opportunities for floating offshore wind and hydrogen supply chains in Scotland and in France.
Read more: EMEC to explore hydrogen supply chains in Scotland and France
Neil Kermode, Managing Director of the EMEC, commented, “EMEC is really grateful for this important funding. We’ve seen huge growth in the interest in hydrogen in recent years and we need the means to transport the gas to where it is to be used. These trailers will improve the logistics and support exciting new projects.
“Since EMEC first produced hydrogen in 2017, we have helped projects explore the use of hydrogen for the decarbonisation of planes, road vehicles and ferries, but we feel we have barely scratched the surface. There is a lot more to do. These trailers will allow us to use the existing electrolyser more fully and will position EMEC to expand hydrogen production in the coming years.”
Pillars of Progress: Power – Hydrogen and renewables: A model for decarbonisation
Scotland’s Orkney Islands are a test case for a low-carbon future. A Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) project is converting excess electricity from renewables in the remote archipelago into clean hydrogen to power vehicles, buildings and ships, demonstrating a realistic alternative to fossil fuels and inspiring other European regions.
With more than 1,000 wind, wave and tidal energy installations serving 10,000 households, the Orkney Islands have one of Europe’s highest levels of renewable energy use. In fact, so much renewable energy is generated that it can exceed the capacity of the electricity grid: over 30% of the potential annual output of wind turbines on the islands of Shapinsay and Eday is being lost.
The FCH JU-funded BIG HIT project is implementing an innovative solution. Renewable energy is powering electrolysers to generate hydrogen. This green hydrogen fuels vehicles, powers ferries while docked and heats buildings, including a school and community centre.
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