For immediate release
Consortium receives £1.5m funding to help Portsmouth International Port become the UK’s first zero-emission port.
Portsmouth, 16th September, 2021 – KnowNow Information announces that it is a partner in an ambitious project, led by the University of Portsmouth, which has been awarded £1.5 million to help develop and demonstrate a Green Hydrogen energy system within Portsmouth International Port.
The Shipping, Hydrogen & Port Ecosystems UK (SHAPE UK) project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport, to reduce emissions from the maritime sector.
Maritime operations are crucial to the efficient movement of goods nationally and globally but are often high contributors of CO2e emissions and air pollutants. The adoption of green low carbon energy systems offers the potential to support the necessary transition of ports and their operations to net-zero.
Portsmouth International Port is the UK’s largest and most successful municipal port, owned by Portsmouth City Council, and is one of the sites of the new Solent Freeport. It is committed to becoming the first carbon neutral UK port by 2030, and the first zero-emission port by 2050.
The SHAPE UK project will help identify the barriers, infrastructure and regulatory considerations that will enable port managers to install a “Green Hydrogen” generation and storage system within the Port. It will also supply a working vessel to the port authority, powered by an engine using Green Hydrogen.
Green Hydrogen uses renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, to power the electrolysis of water to create hydrogen, which will be used to power maritime vessels and dockside vehicles
KnowNow Managing Director, David Patterson, says “The UK’s first zero-emission port will be a case study for ports globally. KnowNow will help to build a digital twin of the port, the vessels, and the shoreside infrastructure so that the low carbon energy systems can be used most efficiently”
Dr David Hutchinson, a Reader in Environmental Innovation and Innovation and Impact Development Manager for the Faculty of Technology at the University of Portsmouth, said: “The port is keen to act as a ‘living lab’ so there will be a great student experience element, which will be particularly relevant for students in our Faculty of Technology, such as those on the renewable energy degree.”
Jerry Clarke, Senior Project Manager at Portsmouth International Port, said: “As a port operating in the heart of a major city, and that is owned by the people of Portsmouth, we have an obligation to do everything we can to minimise our impact as we continue to grow in the coming years. Hydrogen and ammonia are the future fuels identified for a zero-emission future for shipping by 2050. SHAPE UK puts Portsmouth International Port at the forefront of future fuel solutions for the UK.”
Announced in March 2020, and part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan to position the UK at the forefront of green shipbuilding and maritime technology, the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition is a £20m investment from government alongside a further c.£10mfrom industry to reduce emissions from the maritime sector. The programme is supporting 55 projects across the UK, including projects in Scotland, Northern Ireland and from the South West to the North East of England. As set out in the Clean Maritime Plan (2019), Government funding has been used to support early stage research relating to clean maritime. The programme will be used to support the research, design and development of zero emission technology and infrastructure solutions for maritime and to accelerate decarbonisation in the sector.
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For further information please contact
David Patterson, Managing Director 07738 310999 david.patterson@kn-i.com
Notes to editors
1) KnowNow Information was formed in 2013 and provides consulting and software development services.
2) In 2021, KnowNow were the co-creators of the Energy Data Management Canvas, in partnership with the Energy Systems Catapult