Splash247: Consortium validates floating hydrogen power hub for ports

Published by Splash247

UK-based ELIRE Maritime and a consortium of technology and engineering partners have completed a feasibility programme validating what they describe as one of the world’s first fully grid-independent floating hydrogen power hubs for ports.

The project, backed by a £1m grant through the UK government-funded Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition Round 6 programme, aimed to prove that vessels at berth can be powered without relying on traditional shore-side electrical infrastructure.

Partners in the consortium included Ricardo UK, Schneider Electric, Rux Energy UK, Triton Anchor Europe, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and the University of Strathclyde.

According to ELIRE Maritime, the modular floating system combines hydrogen storage, fuel cells, batteries and onboard renewable generation to deliver up to 5 MW of continuous clean power directly to ships alongside.

“Ports are under increasing pressure to decarbonise while facing major infrastructure constraints,” said Luke Jenkinson, founder and chief executive of ELIRE Maritime. “The Hydrogen Power Hub proves that ports do not need to wait years for grid upgrades to begin reducing emissions.”

The consortium said the platform could support medium-sized cruise ships and other large vessels requiring both 6.6 kV and 11 kV shore power connections.

The six-month programme included hydrodynamic testing, structural analysis, electrical validation and operational modelling. The University of Strathclyde carried out wave tank testing, while Schneider Electric validated the grid-forming electrical architecture and battery systems.

Feasibility-stage emissions analysis led by Ricardo UK estimated the system could cut vessel emissions at berth by around 77% compared with conventional onboard diesel generation.

Jenkinson said the project’s key advantage was not simply lower-cost electricity but “delivering clean power where the grid cannot”.

ELIRE Maritime said it is now pursuing larger-scale deployments in the UK, Europe and Australia as ports seek faster pathways to decarbonisation without major grid reinforcement projects.