Global Attention for Our Conference

The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg welcomed the 250 delegates from 20 nations, attending our digital conference on Maritime Hydrogen and Marine Energy this week.

The 5th Conference on Maritime Hydrogen and Marine Energy gathered 250 participants this week.

During two days 40 speakers from 17 nations presented on different topics. Speakers and participants also engaged in 14 different workshops, discussing possibilities and challenges and defined action points to be followed up.

Opening by the Norwegian Prime Minister

The conference was opened by the Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg who shared that the Norwegian Government will increase the number of hydrogen pilots and demonstration projects in a bid to find solutions to combat climate change.

Norway has a national focus on hydrogen with the government launching its hydrogen strategy in June and ongoing work with a national hydrogen roadmap.

- We have to find solutions to combat climate change and at the same time ensure healthy food, clean energy, clean transport and secure jobs for a growing population. I am very pleased to take part in this event as I strongly believe that the maritime and marine sectors are part of the answer, said Erna Solberg in her opening speech.

Harvesting the Tide

Many of the island communities around the world have electric power supply from diesel generators. Tidal power can be part of these island’s energy mix in the future.

Orbital Marine Power is heavy into this segment. The company’s floating tidal power devices have produced several GWh in Orkney waters. The company is now constructing a larger device for better efficiency and increased power generation. The new 2 MW tidal power turbine will be the largest in the world and will be set in operation in 2020.

– Tidal power gives very high level of predictability. That is beneficial in terms of assurance on reliability on the power and managing energy systems, said Oliver Wragg, Commercial Director, Orbital Marine Power, Scotland.

Island Pilot Project

The French company SABELLA is partner in the PHARES project. The Ushant Island’s CO2 emissions will be reduced by 80% by mostly substituting diesel generators with renewable energy from two tidal stream turbines, solar panels and a wind turbine coupled to an energy storage system.

SABELLA D10-1000 tidal stream turbine of 1 MW has already been operating in the Fromveur passage and grid-connected to the 800 inhabitants Ushant Island off grid network.

– Sabella will develop and replicate what we call the Fuel Free Island Model for implementing around the world in areas with a similar picture. Combination of tidal power, wind, solar and relevant energy storage will be a part of the future island energy systems, said Marlène Moutel, Business Development Engineer, Sabella, France

Photo by SABELLA / BALAO

Offshore Hydrogen Production and Subsea Storage

Development in offshore wind is accelerating world-wide. Safe and scalable methods to store and transport the energy over long distances is vital to expand the offshore wind market.

TechnipFMC is developing the Deep Purple project. The project will offer offshore hydrogen production and safe large-scale subsea storage of hydrogen from offshore wind, either for use as stable carbon free energy supply to offshore installations and island communities, for export by ship or for export in pipeline to shore.

– We see significant interest in our offshore hydrogen solutions and we are now moving forward with integrated testing of the Deep Purple system. The goal is being to be ready for market in 2025, says Marit Mork, Project Manager Deep Purple Project, TechnipFMC, Norway.

Illustration of the Deep Purple Concept. Photo by TechnipFMC

USA based company GTA Inc. contributes to the current business model of offshore wind energy by adding renewable hydrogen as a value-added product.

The company has developed a method for subsea production of hydrogen from offshore wind. The wind turbines are connected to bottom fixed electrolyse, producing hydrogen to be stored locally or transported to shore by a pipeline grid

– Our method has two major benefits. It eliminates high CAPEX electric cables and high voltage transformers. It also benefits from the hydrostatic pressure at the seabed allowing easier storage of compressed hydrogen, states Elias Greenbaum, President, GTA Inc, USA.

Delegates from 20 Nations

This year’s conference gathered participants from more than 20 nations. World leading players told their stories, covering different aspects from overall energy analysis to specific solutions of technical challenges.

- Together with collaborating partner Ocean Hyway Cluster we are well satisfied with the conference and participation, says Trond Strømgren, Ocean Technology Innovator at GCE Ocean Technology and responsible for the programme.

– This year the conference was digital which made it easy for leading experts from all over the world to contribute as speakers. The result was the best programme ever. Thanks for all great contributions, Strømgren ends.

Watch the Recordings and Download the Presentations

The conference, including 14 workshops were recorded. If you did not have the chance to participate, it is still possible to buy tickets allowing you to access recordings of the conference and download all presentations and participation list until 30 October.

Read programme and buy conference material and recordings.

Next year’s conference will take place 19-20 October 2021.

Hope to see you there.