Scottish Business, Innovation & Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has opened a community hydrogen fuel cell scheme in Orkney.
The so-called “Surf ‘n’ Turf” project is led by charity Community Energy Scotland, working with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Orkney Islands Council, Eday Renewable Energy and ITM Power.
The fuel cell is the final part of a pilot project looking to circumvent local grid constraints by generating hydrogen from tidal and wind energy.
The hydrogen will be stored and transported to Kirkwall where the fuel cell will convert it back into electricity for use by the inter-island ferries while berthed at the pier.
The project has received £1.3m (€1.5m) of Scottish government funding through the CARES programme and Local Energy Challenge Fund.
Arcola Energy delivered and installed the 75kW fuel cell system in collaboration with German outfit Proton Motor.
Wheelhouse said: “Hydrogen itself and hydrogen fuel cells both have huge potential in Scotland’s low-carbon energy system and we have already supported a number of world-leading hydrogen demonstration projects.
“We will continue to support innovation in suitable hydrogen initiatives and explore the practicalities of using hydrogen as a zero carbon substitute fuel for the heating of homes and businesses in Scotland and in transport.”
Image: Colin Keldie, courtesy of EMEC
