The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has succeeded in producing hydrogen gas from tidal energy.

The 'world first' was achieved at EMEC's tidal energy test site at the Fall of Warness in Orkney last month.

The Scottish Government backed the centre's investment in hydrogen production capability with a £3 million fund made available through Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

By harnessing the power of the tide, prototype tidal energy converters – Scotrenewables' SR2000 and Tocardo's TFS and T2 turbine – fed power into an electrolyser situated next to EMEC's onshore substation.

Supplied by ITM Power, the electrolyser uses the electricity to split water (H2O) into its component parts – hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).

Neil Kermode, Managing Director of EMEC, said the test and research centre was now looking towards developing a hydrogen economy in Orkney.

"The electrolyser was set up to pilot the production of hydrogen fuel from tidal energy – and now we've done just that," he said.

"This is a tremendous milestone for us and thanks must go to EMEC's staff, the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, ITM Power and Bryan J Rendall Electrical for helping make this happen.

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"Whilst the initial driver behind buying an electrolyser was to provide a storage solution to circumvent local grid constraints, the purchase has sparked off other pioneering projects around Orkney looking to use hydrogen in various means.

"One of the most promising uses of hydrogen is as a fuel for transport as it emits no carbon when it is consumed and, providing it's generated by clean renewable energy sources, it becomes a carbon neutral fuel source. Therefore, we could see green hydrogen, over time, replace polluting fuels in our cars, vans and ferries."

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "The Scottish Government is pleased to be supporting this innovative project which will help to partially overcome grid constraints in the Orkney Islands by enabling the storage of excess tidal power generated and using that electricity to produce hydrogen. The project also adds to our growing understanding of the potential role of hydrogen in Scotland's future energy system – something we have committed to exploring in our draft Energy Strategy."

One of the projects that will be using EMEC's electrolyser is the Surf'n'Turf project being led by Community Energy Scotland in partnership with Orkney Islands Council, EMEC, Eday Renewable Energy and ITM Power.

The scheme will see the electrolyser producing hydrogen using electricity from EMEC's test site, as well as power from a 900kW Enercon wind turbine owned by the Eday community.

The hydrogen will then be transported to Kirkwall, where a fuel cell installed on the pier will convert the hydrogen back into electricity for use as auxiliary power for ferries when tied up overnight. The project is also developing a training programme with a view to green hydrogen eventually being used as a fuel source on the inter-island ferries themselves.

Mark Hull, Community Energy Scotland's Head of Innovation said: "As Orkney's communities and businesses pull together to establish the foundations of a local hydrogen network, it's fantastic to see this achievement. Getting the most out of the islands' renewable resources is the driving force behind the Surf 'n' Turf project of which this electrolyser is a key part."

Image credit; Colin Keldie

(LM)