Marine Small-ship Zero-carbon H2 Demonstrator with Innovative Port-manoeuvring

Lead Participant: DUODRIVE LIMITED

Abstract

Whilst much is discussed about the potential for **"Green Hydrogen"** from renewable energy to become the Marine sector's primary energy source to replace fossil-fuels, there are neither demonstrators nor infrastructure visible to encourage take-up by the many small ships, owners of which are, as with the electric car, waiting to see how such an option can be both economic, practical & viable.

This **Hydrogen Transport Hub** project headed by Marine Propulsion innovator Duodrive, newly based within Tees Valley, brings together in one step all the necessary components to demonstrate exactly that which is missing to a wider audience with input from research organisation TRL - "the Future of Transport" - to ensure the achievement of the regulatory development objectives.

Making use of a 10m workboat 'demonstrator' which still has life to beyond 2035 **\#NetZeroMaritime** can be realised by retrofitting high efficiency electric drivetrains powered by Hydrogen fuelled power generators and high-pressure fuel storage in place of its twin 250HP diesels. This combination is without the weight & range limitations of batteries, is simple and has the potential to have similar bunkering costs to diesel even immediately before the wider availability of "green H2" decreases that cost over the next decade.

As part of the HTH demonstration a **Hydrogen Refuelling Station** will also be deployed by **Octopus Hydrogen** who are keenly backing the project implementation.

Ports in general are working on carbon, air quality and to supply sustainable energy for shipping - the largest outside of TeesSide being the Port of London and the tidal River Thames for which both the **Thames Estuary Growth Board** and **Port of London Authority** letters of support recognise the importance of Duodrive's demonstrations to achieve sustainable inland passenger and freight shipping.

The intention is to displace 100% GHG impact of fossil fuel (goal 80 tons eCO2) rather than other technologies such as fuel-cell or co-injection with diesel - for the latter an often quoted example of 60% H2 displaces only 37 tons Net CO2 with unknown NOx production.

A 'holistic approach' to the integrated design will realise production of a package for which "customised" price-tags associated with Marine can be mostly avoided. Novel improvements to the retrofittable Contra-rotating Propulsion along with innovative port manoeuvring FarSight(tm) will be examined using CFD analysis to optimise the patented features of the Motodrivetrain(r) and then tested during the demonstration period.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

DUODRIVE LIMITED £739,780 £ 591,824
 

Participant

QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON £74,335 £ 74,335
DURHAM UNIVERSITY £112,526 £ 112,526
TRL LIMITED £49,824 £ 49,824

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