ELIRE Maritime & Consortium Validate World-First Hydrogen Power Hub That Can Power Ships Without the Grid
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
ELIRE Maritime and consortium partners have successfully validated one of the world’s first fully grid-independent hydrogen power hubs capable of delivering clean electricity directly to vessels at berth, without requiring traditional shore-side grid upgrades.
The project was delivered through the UKRI-funded Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition Round 6 (CMDC6), supported by Innovate UK and the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), part of the UK Department for Transport.
The consortium includes Ricardo plc, Schneider Electric, Rux Energy, Triton Anchor, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and University of Strathclyde.
The programme demonstrated that large vessels can realistically be powered at berth today using existing hydrogen, battery, fuel cell, and electrical technologies integrated into a modular system designed for rapid deployment across global ports.
Powering Ships Without the Grid
Ports globally face growing pressure to decarbonise while struggling with grid limitations, land constraints, and multi-year infrastructure delays.
Traditional shore power systems often require:
Major grid reinforcement
Substation upgrades
Extensive civil works
Lengthy permitting timelines
Significant land availability
The Hydrogen Power Hub changes this model entirely by moving energy infrastructure onto water rather than relying on fixed, land-based systems.
““Ports are under increasing pressure to decarbonise while facing major infrastructure constraints,””
said Luke Jenkinson, Founder and CEO of ELIRE Maritime.
“The Hydrogen Power Hub proves that ports do not need to wait years for grid upgrades to begin reducing emissions. We have validated a practical, scalable, and deployable system capable of delivering clean power directly where it is needed most.”
A Fully Grid-Independent Hydrogen Energy System
The validated system consists of three modular hexagonal floating platforms with a combined footprint of approximately 1,200 sqm.
At full configuration, the platform can deliver:
5MW continuous clean power output
~91MWh energy delivery per week
~45MWh integrated battery storage
Compatibility with both 6.6kV and 11kV shore power connections
Up to 146kW onboard solar generation
The system is capable of powering medium-sized cruise vessels and other large maritime assets directly at berth without requiring any shore-side grid connection.
Rather than relying on oversized generators, the platform uses modular 1.3MW fuel cell systems operating continuously throughout the week to gradually charge onboard batteries before rapidly dispatching energy when vessels arrive.
Hydrogen Infrastructure Without Permanent Port Upgrades
The platform uses approximately 7,500–8,000kg of hydrogen per week, stored within modular ISO-compatible low-pressure storage containers integrated directly into the floating infrastructure.
The current layout accommodates seven onboard hydrogen tanks, with refuelling operations expected approximately twice weekly.
A key advantage is that ports do not require permanent hydrogen infrastructure during early deployment phases, allowing hydrogen adoption to scale incrementally while reducing upfront infrastructure risk.
Validated Through Real-World Engineering & Testing
The six-month CMDC6 programme included extensive hydrodynamic, structural, electrical, and operational validation.
Wave tank testing conducted by the University of Strathclyde validated:
Platform stability
Motion response
Structural integrity
Multi-platform connectivity
Triton Anchor completed mooring analysis, anchor system validation, procurement review, and installation planning, identifying no major technical barriers to deployment.
Schneider Electric validated the fully grid-independent AC/DC electrical architecture and battery energy storage systems, while Ricardo plc and Rux Energy validated the hydrogen-to-power integration systems.
The programme confirmed that the complete hydrogen generation, storage, battery integration, floating infrastructure, and electrical architecture operate cohesively as a deployable maritime energy solution.
Emissions Reduction Validated
Feasibility-stage emissions analysis led by Ricardo plc demonstrated that the system can reduce vessel emissions at berth by approximately 77% compared with conventional onboard diesel generation, even after accounting for hydrogen production, storage, transport, and operational losses.
Key validated emissions outcomes include:
~47 tonnes CO₂ saved per vessel, per week
~2,444 tonnes annual CO₂ reduction per vessel
Significant reduction in NOx, SOx, and particulate emissions
The consortium estimates the solution could support the reduction of up to 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ globally over the next decade through scalable deployment of floating clean energy infrastructure.
Faster Deployment, Lower Infrastructure Risk
One of the project’s strongest commercial advantages is deployment speed.
Traditional shore power infrastructure can take between three and seven years or longer to deliver. In contrast, the modular floating system is designed for significantly faster deployment because the infrastructure is pre-engineered and relocatable.
The platform also eliminates stranded asset risk by enabling infrastructure to move with future market demand.
Beyond shore power, the floating infrastructure can support:
Port electrification
Offshore wind integration
Logistics infrastructure
Offshore operations
Defence applications
Future maritime energy networks
A Scalable Global Opportunity
The consortium estimates a global addressable market of approximately 62TWh annually for grid-independent maritime energy solutions, particularly in ports where conventional shore power remains constrained or economically impractical.
While hydrogen-powered systems are currently more expensive than diesel or grid electricity, the consortium emphasises that the value proposition lies in deployability, flexibility, and infrastructure accessibility.
Current demonstrator-scale energy costs are estimated at approximately:
£0.25–£0.50/kWh for the Hydrogen Power Hub
£0.15–£0.25/kWh for conventional shore power
However, future reductions in hydrogen pricing, manufacturing scale, and modular standardisation are expected to improve competitiveness significantly over time.
From Feasibility to Deployment
ELIRE Maritime is now progressing discussions for future deployments across the UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia, including early-stage engagement in London, Singapore, Hamburg, Brisbane, and Riga.
The project demonstrates that the future of maritime energy is not simply about lower-cost electricity, but about faster deployment, lower infrastructure risk, and flexible systems capable of adapting as global energy markets evolve.
Rather than inventing entirely new energy technologies, the programme successfully integrated proven hydrogen, battery, and electrical systems into a smarter maritime infrastructure model capable of solving one of the most critical bottlenecks facing global ports today.
Key Validated Outcomes
5MW continuous clean power output validated
~91MWh weekly energy delivery capability
~77% CO₂ emissions reduction at berth validated
~47 tonnes CO₂ saved per vessel, per week
~2,444 tonnes annual CO₂ reduction per vessel
~45MWh integrated battery storage system
~7,500–8,000kg hydrogen usage per week
6.6kV and 11kV vessel compatibility confirmed
Fully grid-independent operation demonstrated
Three modular floating platforms validated
~1,200 sqm modular floating footprint
Wave tank testing completed by the University of Strathclyde
Mooring and anchoring feasibility validated
Multi-platform interconnectivity confirmed
Utility-grade AC/DC electrical architecture validated
No major deployment barriers identified
Estimated 62TWh annual global addressable market
Expected deployment timeline significantly faster than traditional shore power
Potential to support up to 500,000 tonnes of global CO₂ reduction over the next decade
Early deployment discussions progressing in London, Singapore, Hamburg, Brisbane, and Riga
The project leveraged a multidisciplinary consortium:
ELIRE Maritime – Creator of the Smarthub platform and Powerhub concept, leading project management, naval architecture, electrical and maritime systems engineering, platform integration, and commercial equipment sourcing. Primary route to market for the integrated solution.
Rux Energy UK – Developed low-cost, safe, high-density hydrogen storage using nanoporous materials, responsible for end-to-end gas handling and exploiting storage solutions beyond the Powerhub. Pre-sales secured 40 systems generating £15M annual revenue from 2028.
Ricardo UK – Global engineering and consultancy partner, developing hydrogen conversion systems, electrical monitoring and control, and providing market intelligence on fuel cell and reciprocating engine solutions.
Schneider Electric – Industrial electrical technology expertise, designing AC-connected microgrids, renewable integration, BESS management, and providing supply chain access for LV/MV equipment.
Triton Anchor Europe – Developed cost-effective multi-helix mooring solutions, flexible seabed design, and underwater tooling for platform deployment.
Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC) – Technical development of floating renewable systems, hydrogen compression and storage concepts, and enabling H2 transportation logistics.
University of Strathclyde – Academic partner in naval architecture and electrical engineering, hydrodynamic testing, DC microgrid design, and cost glidepath analysis.
Sealand Projects – Engineering consultancy for transport and installation (T&I) planning of floating marine assets.
This combination of partners ensures both technical and commercial readiness, addressing regulatory, safety, and deployment challenges globally.
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