Portland Port will soon run a harbour patrol boat on hydrogen made directly from seawater, using a new electrolyser called SeaStack that skips the expensive desalination step required by conventional systems. The maritime sector burns enormous amounts of fossil fuel, and switching to green hydrogen is held back by cost: making hydrogen from seawater normally requires complex water purification. SeaStack generates hydrogen directly from seawater using renewable energy, cutting out that step. The HydroPort project is testing the technology on a real patrol vessel, with hydrogen stored and bunkered at the port. If the trial works, ports and harbours could install SeaStack units on harbour walls, offshore wind turbines, or floating platforms to produce fuel on site. Smaller vessels could burn the hydrogen directly; larger ships could use it as feedstock for green ammonia or methanol. The South-West region could become self-sufficient in renewable energy, with Portland’s underground salt caverns storing hydrogen to smooth out wind fluctuations. The project does not aim to solve global shipping emissions on its own, but it demonstrates a practical, local pathway for ports to decarbonise their own operations and refuelling infrastructure.
View original technical description
**Project** **HydroPort** demonstrates how South-West ports can switch to renewable energy, and cheaply produce green fuels onsite. We are developing innovative **SeaStack** technology -the first electrolyser designed for maritime and offshore use. To achieve these ambitions we are working with local ports, companies and universities, and supported by Dorset County Council. **The challenge** -decarbonising the maritime sector, which uses enormous amounts of fossil fuels. Alternative fuel options rely on hydrogen production which needs to be generated using renewable energy for it to be **green**. To make this affordable we need generation in marine locations, but conventional green hydrogen technology needs expensive and complex water desalination and purification. **Our solution** -our unique technology developed in the South-West which generates hydrogen directly from seawater using renewable energy. This can be used as fuel in smaller vessels, or as feedstock to manufacture green ammonia or methanol for larger vessels. SeaStack electrolysers can be installed on harbour walls, offshore wind turbines, and floating platforms to make best use of energy supplies and refuelling sites. **Project** **HydroPort** is a collaborative research project hosted by Portland Port and will demonstrate new technology to produce green hydrogen using just renewable energy and seawater. This fuel will be bunkered and used to power a modified harbour patrol vessel within the Port area. Our research will open the door for ports and harbours to create refuelling stations and invest in alternative fuel vessels. Portland Port has huge potential to become a leading player with future offshore wind generating copious amounts of renewable energy, with potential to store hydrogen en-masse within the underground salt caverns. **Project** **HydroPort partners**: * **Latent Drive** -Lead applicant and developer of SeaStack, producing Green Hydrogen. * **University of Exeter Centre for Future Clean Mobility (CFCM)** -Converting a patrol boat to run on hydrogen, using fuel cell and electric drive. * **Logan Energy** -Supplying the hydrogen storage and refuelling unit. * **Portland Port** -Trialling hydrogen for port operations, and supplying renewable solar energy. * **SALINE** -Full market engagement programme with Ports, Harbours and Marinas along with vessel operators based in the South-West. Energy security and cost are a concern for us all. The Great South-West region could be self-sufficient in energy supply from renewables, and long-term hydrogen storage in Portland salt caverns could ensure continuity of supply regardless of fluctuations in the wind. **Project HydroPort** demonstrates how this energy can be transferred and put to work in a practical way.
Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.
Is something wrong? Let us know