Orkney Islands to become hydrogen territory?

The Orkney Islands have over 50 MW of installed wind, wave and tidal capacity, generating over 46 GWh per year of renewable power, and has been a net exporter of electricity since 2013. Energy used to produce the hydrogen for BIG HIT will be provided by the community-owned wind turbines on Shapinsay and Eday, two of the Orkney islands.

At present the Shapinsay and Eday turbines are often 'curtailed', losing on average more than 30% of their annual output. In addition, their electricity output is limited by grid capacity restrictions in Orkney. Production of hydrogen from this curtailed energy by electrolysis of water produces 'green' hydrogen from renewable energy sources with a very low carbon footprint. BIG HIT builds on foundations laid by the Orkney Surf 'n' Turf initiative, which will see production of hydrogen on the islands of Eday and Shapinsay using wind and tidal energy. These are both world leading pilot and demonstration projects, which deploy a fully integrated model of hydrogen production, storage, transportation and utilisation for low carbon heat, power and transport. These projects address a number of operational and development challenges including the logistical and regulatory aspects for transport of hydrogen fuel between islands, and the orientation and familiarisation with new hydrogen building and transport technologies. BIG HIT will enable the deployment of ten electric vans, which will each be fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender. A hydrogen refuelling station will be constructed in or near to Kirkwall at a site to be selected. The hydrogen fuel cells in these adapted vans will give them a wider range than their battery powered electric counterparts. In order to demonstrate the potential scope hydrogen also has for heat uses in Orkney, BIG HIT will install two hydrogen-powered boilers at suitable premises to provide zero carbon heat.

Dr Graham Cooley, CEO, ITM Power commented: "BIG HIT is a major step in turning the Orkney Islands into a genuine Hydrogen Territory. The deployment of 1.5 MW of electrolysis and the operation of hydrogen logistics to provide a transport fuel and renewable heat is a very important part of that process."

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a public private partnership supporting research, development and demonstration activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. Its aim is to accelerate the market introduction of these technologies, realising their potential as an instrument in achieving a carbon-lean energy system. The three members of the FCH JU are the European Commission, fuel cell and hydrogen industries represented by the NEW Industry Grouping and the research community represented by Research Grouping N.ERGHY.