While motorists prepare for a ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2040, the tiny Orkney island of Eday is working on another green transport initiative that could revolutionise the world of sea transport. With shipping under pressure for producing high levels of emissions, islanders are developing a project that could pave the way for pollution-free roll-on/roll-off vehicle ferries powered by locally produced hydrogen. The Surf ‘n’ Turf initiative, due to come on stream in September, will draw excess power from a community wind turbine owned by Eday Renewable Energy and surplus tidal power from Orkney’s European Marine Energy Centre. That power will then be used to extract hydrogen from water that could be used in the short term to provide auxiliary power for vessels in Kirkwall harbour and ultimately CalMac ferries serving Scotland’s islands. Ian Garman, innovation development officer for the charity Community Energy Scotland, which is a partner in the Orkney project, said it had considerable potential. “The hydrogen will be shipped to Kirkwall harbour – a distance of about 20 miles – where it will be fed into a hydrogen fuel cell and used to provide auxiliary power for vessels in the harbour,” said Garman. “But I look forward to the day when Eday is served by a ferry fuelled entirely by hydrogen. Then the ship could simply fill up on fuel when she puts into port.”
Sunday Times 6th Aug 2017 read more »
