Prototype of a green hydrogen plant, fed by a marine wind park, projected by the Belgian Tractebel in an image of this company

Three Spanish shipyards, including Astander, are running a feasibility study to develop an innovative electrical supply system thanks to the exploitation of green hydrogen... Freire de Bouzas-Vigo, Santander Shipyards and Mallorca Shipyards, with the support of the SOERMAR Technology Center Foundation, are already working on the advanced conceptual design of a hydrogen production and storage set that will feed a fuel cell for energy generation... an approach fully supported by the Directorate-General for Industry and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

If the findings of this study were to materialize, the participating shipyards would cover part of their energy demand with clean energy produced from a renewable, cheap and unlimited source. In fact, decision-making would be facilitated to improve its electrical efficiency and would help to correct its environmental footprint. It thus shows its desire and commitment to meet the environmental premises set out in the European Union's 2030 Agenda.

At present, researchers are analysing the different production and storage methods, as well as the fuel cell itself, in order to make the optimal selection of the whole. It is also intended to use the residual heat of the whole for the health systems and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) of these facilities based on thermal use techniques.

Hydrogen is a chemical element that is naturally found in the environment (it is part of the water molecules), which attests to a great energy capacity and whose exploitation as a source of energy can be 100% clean. In fact, hydrogen-consuming generators, also known as fuel cells, only leave distilled water as waste. This research will be a major leap in efficiency at European and international level. Through it, the participating shipyards will generate extensive knowledge related to alternative fuels. A circumstance that will allow them to be at the forefront of Europe when using this technology as an energy source.

Although its use in the maritime industry is still at a very early stage, the versatility of hydrogen as a energy vector makes it the most interesting alternative to accelerate decarbonisation processes within the sector. In fact, propulsion systems that exploit the energy performance of this element are considered one of the most promising future solutions for the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport.

This was demonstrated during the day "The Hydrogen as fuel of the future. Challenges and opportunities for industry" organized by the Maritime Cluster of Cantabria a couple of months ago. The event had about 70 participants, which shows the interest of the Cantabrian industries of the blue sector in this technology.

The environmental urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the ocean and the pressure from international regulations such as IMO 2020 have led to a special sensitivity of the Cantabrian maritime industry on this issue. Not in vain, it has previously highlighted good practices in the development of offshore energy structures, liquefied natural gas (LNG), emission purification systems or scrubbers, as well as assisted self-propelled propulsion systems or rigid candles.