Over the past few weeks, emission-free excavation operations have been underway in one of the Port of Gothenburg’s most extensive infrastructure ventures to date.
This has been facilitated by a groundbreaking hydrogen generator featuring innovative technology, which is currently being tested in the project.
This generator is designed to be both scalable and portable, offering a convenient plug-and-play solution that can be effortlessly transported and utilized as needed. It comprises fuel cell modules, power electronics, cooling mechanisms, auxiliary systems, and an advanced control system. Hitachi Energy collaborates with its technology partner, PowerCell Group, which contributes power modules and specialized expertise in fuel cell integration.
Pilot trials underway at the Arendal 2 terminal area within the Port of Gothenburg mark the initial field testing phase of Hitachi Energy’s hydrogen generator.
Over the past two weeks, the generator has been operational, utilizing green hydrogen sourced from Linde Gas to produce electricity for a charging station located on-site. This charging station, in turn, powers an electric excavator manufactured by Volvo, which plays a vital role in one of the port’s significant infrastructure endeavors aimed at expanding the terminal area by 140,000 square meters in the outer precincts of the Port of Gothenburg.
Arendal 2 represents the largest terminal development initiative within the Port of Gothenburg since the 1970s. The foundation of the terminal area comprises blasted stone and repurposed contaminated dredged material used as fill material. Innovative techniques for stabilization and solidification of contaminated dredged material were developed during the project’s inception stages back in 2016.
“So it’s particularly exciting that we’ve had the opportunity to test the facility in this project, where collaboration, sustainability, and innovative solutions have truly characterized the work from day one,” added David Norén, project manager for Arendal 2 at the Gothenburg Port Authority.
The Port of Gothenburg is committed to cutting CO2e emissions originating from port activities by 70%, extending from Vinga out at sea to the entire Gothenburg region on land. The emphasis lies on fostering an environment conducive to transitioning maritime and land transportation towards fossil-free infrastructure and facilitating access to a variety of alternative fuels.
Hydrogen has greenhouse gas reduction potential in all these areas, commented Viktor Allgurén, innovation manager at the Gothenburg Port Authority:
“In a diverse and energy-intensive operation like a port, there are many areas of use. It can be used as fuel for trucks, trains, or handling equipment in terminals, for propulsion of ships, or to support the power grid when a ship is connected to shore power. So the use of hydrogen fits perfectly into the port context.”
