Port of Gothenburg carries out hydrogen-powered excavation

The Port of Gothenburg has completed one of its largest infrastructure projects ever, carrying out emission-free excavation work using a hydrogen generator featuring completely new technology.

The generator is a scalable and portable plug-and-play solution that can be easily moved and used on the go. It includes fuel cell modules, power electronics, cooling, auxiliary systems and an intelligent control system.

Hitachi Energy’s technology partner, PowerCell Group, provided the power modules and expertise in fuel cell integration.

Pilot tests at the new terminal area, Arendal 2 in the Port of Gothenburg mark the first field test of Hitachi Energy’s hydrogen generator.

The generator has been in operation for the last two weeks using green hydrogen from Linde Gas to generate electricity for a charging station on-site.

In turn, the charging station supplies electricity to an electric excavator from Volvo, which is used in one of the port’s major infrastructure projects where 140,000 square metres of new terminal area is being created in the outer areas of the Port of Gothenburg.

Arendal 2 is the largest terminal development project in the Port of Gothenburg since the 1970s. The terminal area rests on a foundation of blasted stone and contaminated dredged material reused as fill material.

Stabilisation and solidification of contaminated dredged material are new techniques developed during the project’s early stages in 2016.

“So, it’s particularly exciting that we’ve had the opportunity to test the facility in this project, where collaboration, sustainability, and innovative solutions have truly characterised the work from day one,” said David Norén, Project Manager for Arendal 2 at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

The Port of Gothenburg aims to reduce port-related CO2 emissions by 70 per cent, from Vinga out to sea, to the entire Gothenburg area on land.

Hydrogen has GHG reduction potential in all these areas, reported Viktor Allgurén, Innovation Manager at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

“In a diverse and energy-intensive operation like a port, there are many areas of use,” Allgurén said.

“It can be used as fuel for trucks, trains, or handling equipment in terminals, for propulsion of ships, or to support the power grid when a ship is connected to shore power. So the use of hydrogen fits perfectly into the port context.”

Late last year, the Skandia Gateway project received the final approval from the EU Commission, paving the way for the fairway deepening at the Port of Gothenburg.

Earlier this month, APM Terminals (APMT) Gothenburg welcomed the launch of a new weekly MSC route to the US and South America.