An innovative hybrid infrastructure system delivering both electric and hydrogen for vessel fast charging/refuelling using off grid renewable energy and onsite wastewater.

In the transition to low carbon shipping, multiple low carbon fuels are currently being investigated. It is likely that in the future different fuel types will be used by ships depending on their operational requirements, such as voyage duration or cargo being carried. This poses a difficulty for port operators in the development of infrastructure which can supply multiple different fuel types to ships, representing significant investments for infrastructure which is often very case specific.

Two technologies currently being developed extensively are electric and hydrogen vessels, with electric focussing on short 'green corridor' trips, and hydrogen for supplying longer duration trips. Electrical grid connections are currently very difficult to develop due to National Grid constraints, which poses a difficulty not only for electric vessel charging.

Within this project, the collaboration team of HydroStar, Waterwhelm and London South Bank University will develop an innovative infrastructure system which can deliver both electrical and hydrogen vessel fast charging/refuelling in a hybrid system using off grid renewable energy and onsite wastewater. This enables ports to develop their low carbon infrastructure to supply both fuel types from a holistic standpoint.

Delivery of both fuel types is achieved through a system of metal hydride hydrogen storage vessels in combination with a fuel-cell and battery system. The electricity generated can either be used directly in electrical charging and battery storage, or alternatively in hydrogen generation and storage. Hydrogen can be released quickly either for fast refuelling or fast generation of electricity through the fuel-cell. Generation of hydrogen will be facilitated through the purification and treatment of wastewater onsite, using waste heat from the metal hydride and electrolyser systems to power the treatment process and remove the reliance on water main infrastructure.