Ricardo to provide expertise in feasibility study on hydrogen power hubs
Ricardo, a world leading environmental and engineering consultancy, together with its consortium partners, will provide its expertise to a feasibility study into the development of hydrogen floating power hubs, innovative, off-grid, hydrogen-powered floating micro-grids designed to cut emissions from port operations and accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero. This is part of the Department for Transport's UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, and it is delivered by Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation).
The consortium, which is being led by Elire Infra, has been appointed by Innovate UK under the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 6, to assess a zero-emission, grid-independent shore power solution for maritime applications; the Hydrogen Floating Power Hub, a floating, self-contained, modular microgrid platform that will provide scalable shore power connectivity to large ocean-going vessels and smaller riverine e-vessels. Subject to a positive investment decision, the project could lead to the launch of the UK’s first fully operational Hydrogen Power Hub by 2028, marking a milestone for maritime decarbonisation and hydrogen innovation.
Together, the consortium will address the technical, regulatory, and commercial barriers to deployment, with each partner leading defined Work Packages across project management, structural design, hydrogen storage, electrical systems, platform integration, installation, and commissioning.
Ricardo will define the Hydrogen to Power (H2P) technology for this project, comprising the following key activities:
- Define the critical attributes for the novel floating powerplant installation
- Identify and compare state-of-the-art options for both Fuel Cell and Hydrogen ICE power generation
- Recommend an architecture that complements the hydrogen storage and electrical systems
In addition to Ricardo and Elira Infra, the “Hydrogen Floating Powerhub - Feasibility Program” will include experts from Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult; Rux Energy UK; Schneider Electric; Triton Anchor Europe; University of Strathclyde; Sealand Projects.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
The Hydrogen Floating Power Hub project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230 million since 2022 to over 247 projects, leveraging more than £107 million in private investment. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions, including the flagship CMDC and ZEVI competitions.
Maritime is a key sector that needs to find innovative solutions to its carbon footprint in order to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda. The UK SHORE programme is a key part of that work, supporting research and development to unlock an industry-led transition towards Net Zero and deliver economic growth, in line with the Government’s missions and the Plan for Change.
The UK SHORE programme consists of multiple headline projects situated all across the UK - from Belfast and Orkney to Cornwall and Portsmouth - showcasing the exceptional, highly-skilled work being delivered throughout the UK economy. UK SHORE is supporting 500 organisations, unlocking investment potential in UK technologies, at UK ports and UK shipyards.
Our project is one of many UK SHORE demonstration projects showcasing their project and technology around the UK in 2025, involving a variety of vessel types and new infrastructure in ports and harbours.
