Go back to previous list...

Press release: EMEC to investigate use of hydrogen by-products

EMEC is working with Zero Waste Scotland on a project to identify local applications for oxygen, a by-product of the hydrogen production process.
EMEC hydrogen storage cylinders (Credit Colin Keldie)

EMEC hydrogen storage cylinders (Credit Colin Keldie)

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has launched a new project to explore how circular economy approaches can be applied to optimise the efficiency of hydrogen production and stimulate the development of a local oxygen market in Orkney.

The project includes 30 days business support from Zero Waste Scotland as part of the circular economy business support service, an initiative supported by funding from both the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the £73million Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme.

The project aims to identify potential value-added applications for the commercial use of oxygen, an untapped by-product of the hydrogen production process, and develop a more circular business model for hydrogen.

EMEC have been producing ‘green’ hydrogen since 2017, using renewable energy from local wind and tidal resources to power an electrolyser, splitting water into its chemical components: hydrogen and oxygen. However, the cost of producing hydrogen is high, as roughly one third of input energy is lost as oxygen and low-grade heat during production.

This cost is driving business innovation to increase the efficiency and circularity of the process by identifying end applications for heat and oxygen by-products.

Local industries such as aquaculture, horticulture, diving, health and aviation all use oxygen as part of daily business.

Integrating locally produced oxygen into the supply chain will increase island resiliency and reduce the environmental impact of businesses currently getting oxygen delivered from the UK mainland.

Jon Clipsham, Hydrogen Manager, at EMEC said:

“Building on the success of pilot ‘green’ hydrogen projects such as Surf ‘n’ Turf and BIG HIT which have aided the development of a hydrogen economy in Orkney, EMEC aim to explore the potential of the local oxygen market and are keen to receive proposals from businesses to identify local uses for oxygen.

“This project will enable us to improve the efficiency of the hydrogen production process by embedding circular economy principles into our business model. It is hoped that the learnings from this project could be used as a basis for other island projects in Scotland and further afield.”

Scott Bryant, Energy Infrastructure Sector Manager, at Zero Waste Scotland said:

“This is an excellent opportunity to bring additional economic value to the hydrogen production process. By finding markets for the unused oxygen, we can create new and innovative local business opportunities, and also help to bring down future total energy production costs, making hydrogen generation more commercially attractive. The findings of this project will also help inform other circular economy opportunities in the wider Scottish energy sector.”

Donald Morrison, Buildings and Infrastructure Europe Senior Vice President and General Manager, at Jacobs, who are assisting with the project delivery, said:

“We welcome the collaboration between government and industry to inspire innovation that supports better understanding of the full value chain for green hydrogen. This project takes the green hydrogen economy one step closer to be circular, increasing sustainability and ensuring long-term economic viability.”

Get Involved

For further information on the project or how you can get involved, contact: Caron Oag, Hydrogen Marketing Officer at EMEC: email caron.oag@emec.org.uk or phone 01856 852060

Hydrogen Electrolyser (Credit, Colin Keldie)

Hydrogen Electrolyser (Credit, Colin Keldie)

-

EMEC CLIENTS

Alstom

Alstom

hammerfest

hammerfest

Aquamarine

Aquamarine Power

atlantis

Atlantis Resources Corporation

Nautricity

Nautricity

Naval Group

Naval Group

openhydro

Open Hydro

Home_Orbital-Marine-logo

Orbital Marine

pelamis

pleamis

scottish_power

ScottishPower Renewables

seatricity

Seatricity

Sustainable Marine Energy

Sustainable Marine Energy

voith

Voith Hydro

Wello

Wello Oy

Supported by: