H2SHIPS sets sail
Hydrogen propulsion technologies are nearing market maturity, while still being too expensive to compete with fossil fuel based alternatives. However, their advantages over conventional combustion engines are considerable: Hydrogen can be converted into mechanical or electrical energy completely free of any emission. In addition, hydrogen propulsion system operates silently and requires less maintenance.
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The Interreg North-West Europe project H2SHIPS will demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of hydrogen bunkering and propulsion for shipping and will identify the conditions for successful market entry for the technology. Shipping is particularly well suited for the implementation of hydrogen solutions because of tight timetables and predictable routes; the NEW waterway network offers favorable conditions due to synergies with other industries and sectors.
Two pilot projects will be implemented as part of H2SHIPS: A new hydrogen powered port vessel will be built in Amsterdam and in Belgium a H 2 refuelling system suitable for open sea operation will be developed and tested. A further major output will be an action plan for the implementation of an H2SHIPS pilot on the river Seine in Paris in 2022. Further project outputs will include a blueprint for the uptake of a new hydrogen-based transport system in North-West Europe, the creation of a H 2 value chain designed to support public authorities, shipbuilders and operators in the implementation of H2 products and services in cooperation with research and industry.
A key objective is to provide knowledge in a way which can be transferred easily to other regions with emphasis on how the different measures can be scaled up, so they can be replicated comprehensively.
The project will run for three years ending in July 2022. By then, a port vessel will be converted to hydrogen and be fully operational, saving considerable CO 2 emissions. By 2032, a total of 58 hydrogen-powered boats are expected for the project region. The launch event will take place at 27 th of August 2019 in Oostende in the frame of the Hydrogen Days. We are looking forward to meeting you in Belgium after the summer holidays.
H2SHIPS has 13 Partners from 5 countries. These include: Europaeisches Institut für Energieforschung (DE), Hynamics (FR), University of Birmingham (UK), Havenbedrijf Amsterdam (NL), Technische Universiteit Delft (NL), Navalu (FR), SYCTOM (FR), Port
Autonome de Paris (FR), Haven Oostende, (BE), Steinbeis 2i GmbH (DE), Hydrogen Europe (BE), Transport & Environment (BE), Tata Steel Europe (NL). The project will receive almost € 3.5 million co-funding from the Interreg North-West Europe
Programme (2019-2022).