PREVIEW

A floating hydrogen-powered energy hub capable of supplying electricity to large ships without being connected to the grid has been successfully tested in a world-first project.

The £1 million UK-backed programme has demonstrated how vessels could be powered while docked using a floating platform that generates and stores clean energy offshore, potentially helping ports cut emissions without waiting years for costly grid upgrades.

The Hydrogen Floating Power Hub, developed by ELIRE Maritime and a consortium of industry and academic partners, combines hydrogen fuel cells, battery storage and renewable energy generation on a modular floating platform designed to deliver shore power directly to ships at berth.

Researchers say the technology could be deployed using existing equipment and could help prevent up to 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions globally over the next decade.

The six-month feasibility project was funded through the UK Research and Innovation-backed Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, delivered by Innovate UK in partnership with the Department for Transport's UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE).

Luke Jenkinson, founder and chief executive of ELIRE Maritime, said ports were facing increasing pressure to decarbonise while struggling with infrastructure limitations.

He said: "The Hydrogen Power Hub proves that ports do not need to wait years for grid upgrades to begin reducing emissions.

"We have validated a practical, scalable and deployable system capable of delivering clean power directly where it is needed most."

Unlike conventional shore power systems, which rely on extensive land-based electrical infrastructure, the floating hub places energy generation and storage on the water itself.

Developers say this approach avoids many of the barriers that have slowed electrification projects at ports around the world, including limited grid capacity, land shortages and lengthy planning processes.

At full scale, the floating hub would be capable of delivering five megawatts of clean power — enough to supply medium-sized cruise ships and other large vessels while they are docked.

Hydrogen fuel cells gradually charge onboard batteries before the stored energy is released when ships connect to the system, allowing ports to provide shore power without major upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Testing confirmed the stability of the floating platforms and validated the hydrogen, battery and electrical systems needed to operate independently of the grid.

The consortium found the hub could deliver around 91 megawatt-hours of energy each week while supporting repeated vessel charging operations without requiring major civil engineering works.

According to emissions analysis led by Ricardo, the system could reduce emissions from ships while docked by around 77 per cent compared with vessels running conventional diesel generators.

Researchers estimate this could prevent approximately 47 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per vessel each week, alongside significant reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate pollution.

Many ports are under pressure to reduce emissions from ships at berth, but installing traditional shore power infrastructure can take years and often requires costly upgrades to local electricity networks.

Mr Jenkinson said: "Ports do not simply need lower-cost energy, they need energy infrastructure they can actually deliver.

"This is not about replacing the grid. It is about delivering clean power where the grid cannot."

The consortium estimates there is significant global demand for grid-independent maritime energy solutions, particularly in ports where conventional shore power remains difficult or uneconomic to install.

While hydrogen-powered systems currently remain more expensive than conventional grid electricity, developers say the technology's main advantage is its ability to be deployed quickly and relocated if demand changes, reducing the risk of long-term infrastructure investments becoming stranded.

The floating hubs could also support offshore operations, renewable energy projects, port electrification schemes and future hydrogen transport networks.

ELIRE Maritime said it is now in discussions about deploying similar systems in the UK, Europe and Australia as it moves towards commercial rollout.