OIC gets involved in Europe-wide hydrogen project

Orkney Islands Council is taking part in the development of a European-wide hydrogen project, which gets under way this month.

It will build on the existing Community Energy Scotland-led Orkney Surf ‘n’ Turf initiative, which will involve the production of hydrogen in Eday, using wind and tidal energy. This will then be transported to Kirkwall and used as fuel to provide electricity for harbour buildings and ferries tied up alongside the pier.

The wider European project is called BIG HIT (Building Innovative Green Hydrogen systems in an Isolated Territory: a pilot for Europe). The five-year project aims to create a fully integrated model of hydrogen production, storage, transportation and utilisation for heat, power and transport.

Some of the energy used to produce the hydrogen will be provided by the community-owned wind turbines in Eday and Shapinsay. At present, both are often “curtailed” – with their electricity output limited by grid capacity restrictions in Orkney.

The council’s main role in BIG HIT is to provide ten electric vans, which will each be fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell. A hydrogen refuelling station will be constructed in or near to Kirkwall at a site still to be selected.

The adapted vans will form part of the council’s fleet and be bought as part of the council’s vehicle replacement programme. All other capital and revenue costs are to be met by the funding secured from Europe.

Demonstrating the potential scope hydrogen has for practical uses in Orkney, the council also intends to install small hydrogen-powered boilers at two of its premises.