Lloyd’s Register (LR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with H2Terminals Limited and its supply chain partners, HiDROGEN and D3IM, to evaluate the feasibility of a green hydrogen (H2) infrastructure project in the UK.
The collaboration will focus on the floating production and transport of H2, as well as identifying regulatory requirements, including safety cases and risk assessments, for developing an offshore island and supply chain that will deliver green power to businesses along the Thames Estuary and River.
“This project is an example of how shipping can support governments’ ambitions to decarbonise their supply chains and generate growth for their regional and national economies. This ambitious green hydrogen project, underpinned by the combined expertise of LR, H2 Terminals, HiDROGEN and D3IM, will help create a sustainable logistics network along the River Thames and lay the foundations for industry to develop,” stated Mark Tipping, Power to X Director at LR.
This project is part of the Thames Estuary Growth Board action plan, a private sector-led initiative aimed at attracting investment and development to the Thames Estuary area.
Plans include constructing a wind, wave, and solar energy plant 100 km offshore. The green H2 produced on the floating island will be liquefied and transported by ship to a terminal on the Thames Estuary near London. There, the H2 will be transferred to floating barges where it will be converted into electricity and hot water. Byproducts such as liquid nitrogen and oxygen will also be generated during the conversion process. Batteries installed on the barges will store the electricity for transport to its point of use.
The MoU outlines a formal assessment of technology, including the development of asset designs, qualification of containment systems, and floating hydrogen production and energy export systems. Assets planned for this project include materials capable of containing and insulating green liquid H2 at -253°C.
Additionally, the MoU will establish an assurance program for floating hydrogen production, hydrogen ships, classification, and energy export systems.
“The demand for green hydrogen is projected to increase significantly in the next few years and we applaud the Thames Estuary Growth Board for committing to the alternative fuel to deliver jobs and investment opportunity to the Thames Estuary region. We will be offering thirty-year Power Purchasing Agreements direct to industry and utility companies as well as participating in the trading and capacity markets. The UK government has set an ambitious target for low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 and we look forward to working with the Growth Board, London & Partners, Lloyd’s Register, HiDROGEN and D3IM to help realise this ambition,” commented Gerry Wilkinson, CEO at H2Terminals.
