A pilot project at the Port of Gothenburg is testing a hydrogen generator designed to supply electricity to docked ships, marking a significant step toward reducing emissions at ports lacking conventional shore power connections. This innovative approach could serve as a model for other ports facing infrastructure challenges. The use of electricity instead of conventional engines on ships while they are docked can lead to a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The Port of Gothenburg installed its first On-shore Power Supply (OPS) facilities in the early 2000s, making them one of the pioneers in this technology.
However, many ports across the EU and worldwide lack the necessary infrastructure to implement OPS systems, which require significant investment and a strong electrical backbone. To address this challenge, the Port of Gothenburg is testing a mobile hydrogen generator at Stena Line’s terminal for Germany. The two-week trial connects the generator to the existing shore power facility, using green hydrogen to supply electricity to the vessels Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica while they are docked. Anders Peterson, Group Head of Port Development & Engineering at Stena Line, emphasized the importance of testing new technologies to reduce emissions.
He noted that this project illustrates the feasibility of alternative solutions for ports that do not have shore power infrastructure. Looking ahead, stricter EU regulations will require container and passenger ships to use OPS while at berth, expected to cut emissions by over a million tonnes annually. Viktor Allgurén, Head of Innovation at the Port of Gothenburg, expressed optimism about hydrogen’s potential to help meet these standards, highlighting the collaboration with Stena Line as a key step. The hydrogen generator, developed by Hitachi Energy with assistance from PowerCell Group and Linde Gas, utilized 100% green hydrogen during the trials.
The versatility of hydrogen as a fuel is evident, with its applications ranging from powering trucks and work vehicles to supporting machinery in construction projects at the port.