A two-week trial sees Stena Line's two ferries drawing power from a hydrogen-powered generator that has been connected to the company's onshore power supply (OPS) facility at its Germany Terminal in the Port of Gothenburg.
Hitachi Energy has developed the hydrogen generator, with the PowerCell Group supplying the power modules and sharing its expertise in fuel cell integration. Linde Gas has provided the 100% green hydrogen for testing.
"In 2030, a new EU regulation will come into effect, requiring container and passenger vessels to use OPS while at berth. According to a study by ICCT [International Council on Clean Transportation], this is expected to reduce emissions by just over one million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year," the Swedish seaport highlighted in a press release.
The port's Head of Innovation, Viktor Allgurén, added, "Since the climate is a shared concern for us all, it is also in everyone's interest that as many ports as possible around us succeed in meeting these demands. With our extensive experience in OPS, we are pleased to partner with Stena Line to serve as a test bed for this new technology, which may very well prove to be a viable solution for many ports."
Anders Peterson, Group Head of Port Development & Engineering at Stena Line, also commented, "At Stena Line, we are eager to collaborate to test new technologies aimed at reducing emissions from our industry. This project shows that there are alternative solutions for ports that lack the infrastructure for shore power."
"We are very pleased with the results of the latest collaboration with Stena Line, the PowerCell Group, Linde Gas, and the Port of Gothenburg. We value working with these industry players to continue exploring new application areas for HyFlex and to demonstrate its broad potential - from construction sites to port terminals - to accelerate the energy transition," said Tobias Hansson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy in Sweden.
HyFlex was already used to run a Volvo excavator during the construction of Arendal 2.
The Port of Gothenburg also houses a hydrogen fuelling station for trucks and is testing hydrogen-powered work vehicles.
Photo: Port of Gothenburg