World’s First Floating Hydrogen Power Hub Validated To Power Ships Without Grid Connection

A UK-backed maritime consortium has completed a feasibility programme for the world’s first fully grid-independent floating hydrogen power hub, designed to provide clean shore power to ships without relying on existing port electricity infrastructure.

The project was funded through the UK Research and Innovation Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition Round 6 (CMDC6) and carried out in partnership with the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions.

Consortium members included ELIRE Maritime, Schneider Electric, Ricardo and the University of Strathclyde.

The Hydrogen Floating Power Hub combines hydrogen storage, fuel cells, battery energy storage and onboard renewable energy generation on three interconnected hexagonal floating platforms.

Together, the platforms cover around 1,200 square metres (12,900 square feet) and integrate approximately 45MWh of battery storage.

According to the consortium, the validated design can provide up to 5MW of continuous electricity through both 6.6kV and 11kV shore power connections.

The system is intended to supply power directly to vessels at berth, including medium-sized cruise ships and other large maritime assets.

The project aims to address challenges many ports face when deploying shore power, including limited grid capacity, lengthy utility connection timelines, high infrastructure costs, space constraints and complex permitting requirements.

Traditional shore power projects can take between three and seven years or more to complete and often require grid reinforcement, substation upgrades and major civil works.

By placing the energy infrastructure on floating platforms, the consortium said ports could deploy shore power without depending on extensive shore-side construction or existing grid connections.

The platform is designed to supply around 91MWh of energy per week while supporting repeated vessel charging operations.

Instead of using large generators, the system relies on modular 1.3MW fuel cells that continuously charge onboard batteries, allowing stored energy to be delivered when ships connect to the system.

“Think of it as charging a giant floating battery throughout the week and then releasing that energy rapidly when the vessel arrives,” ELIRE Maritime Chief Executive Luke Jenkinson said.

Hydrogen is stored in modular, ISO-compatible low-pressure containers integrated into the floating structure.

The current design includes seven onboard hydrogen storage tanks and consumes about 7,500 to 8,000 kilograms of hydrogen per week. Refuelling is expected to take place approximately twice a week.

The platform also incorporates up to 146kW of solar power generation to help reduce hydrogen consumption.

References: interestingengineering, swzmaritime