10159357Sustainable Energy Resilience in Rural Maritime Applications (SERRMA)ClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe **SERRMA project** (Sustainable Energy Resilience in Rural Maritime Applications) aims to tackle one of the biggest challenges in maritime decarbonisation: the lack of high-power charging infrastructure in smaller and remote ports. These locations often have limited grid capacity, making it difficult or impossible to electrify vessels, equipment, or port operations without costly and time-consuming upgrades. To address this, the SERRMA consortium will develop and validate a new zero-emission charging solution called the **Hixapod**---a compact, mobile, and high-power energy hub designed specifically for maritime use. The Hixapod uses **hydrogen fuel cells**, **battery storage**, and **smart energy management** to provide reliable power for vessel charging and shore-based operations without depending on the local electricity grid. The system integrates cutting-edge technologies, including **advanced power electronics**, **liquid cooling systems**, and **machine learning** that optimise energy use based on weather patterns and historical demand. It also includes a **microgrid control platform** that can manage energy from multiple sources such as hydrogen, solar, and grid supply---maximising efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Over the course of the project, the team will take Hixapod from prototype stage through to a validated system ready for full-scale demonstration. This includes testing key features such as **high-power delivery (up to 500 kW)**, **cold ironing support**, and **bi-directional energy flows**---where energy can be shared between vessels, port infrastructure, or even sold back to the grid. The project includes a strong UK-based team led by **Hixal Ltd**, with engineering and research support from **Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG)** and **Coventry University**, energy utilisation system from **Swanbarton Ltd**, manufacturing expertise from **Unipart**, and a real-world test environment provided by **Scotline Terminal** in Kent. By the end of the project, the Hixapod will be ready for operational deployment in or between ports, supporting the UK's transition to clean maritime technologies. The system will also be future-fuel ready, capable of running on emerging clean fuels like ammonia as the market evolves. SERRMA supports the UK's maritime decarbonisation goals while helping create jobs, boost exports, and build resilience into the nation's clean energy infrastructure---especially in rural and coastal communities.