The project, funded by Innovate UK, was led by renewable electrification specialist AceOne, with support from Newcastle University. Other businesses who participated included Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Engas Global, and the University of Liverpool.
Developing a Zero-Emission Propulsion System for Marine Vessels
The team developed battery and hydrogen technology to power marine vessels used for servicing offshore wind turbines. The aim of Retrofittable Propulsion System for Electric Vessels with Hydrogen Range Extender (RESTORE) was to retrofit The Princess Royal with a battery-electric propulsion system and hydrogen-powered generator to charge the battery, extending the range of operation.
Achieving Zero Emissions: Transformative Solutions
The system is not for permanent installation. It provided The Princess Royal with transformative solutions to run on zero emissions to help shift the marine sector’s decarbonisation position. Kayvan Pazouki, Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, said: “It was a great pleasure being involved in such a fantastic research project designing a hybrid hydrogen-battery propulsion system for The Princess Royal. The new innovative power arrangement and subsequent trials proved zero-emission operation for short-sea shipping in line with decarbonisation strategy. This project paves the way for future green maritime operation.”
Collaboration with Industry Experts for Zero-Emission Propulsion Systems
Mark Thompson, CEO of AceOn Group, said: “AceOn was proud to lead a multidisciplinary team of industry and academic experts at the forefront of maritime innovation in delivering this ground-breaking project as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3). Funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK, CMDC3 forms a key part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme — a £206 million government initiative focused on accelerating the development of innovative technologies to decarbonise the UK’s domestic maritime sector. Collaborating with such high-calibre organisations was instrumental to the project’s success, and we’re honoured to help drive forward the UK’s clean maritime ambitions.”
Achieving the UK’s Clean Maritime Goals with Zero-Emission Propulsion Systems
This project was part of the CMDC3, funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC3 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
