Shetland Islands Council has now joined a number of organisations and projects which help promote hydrogen as a key future energy source in the region.
The SIC recently announced the launch of an ambitious new Energy Hub project aimed at providing domestic and industry users access to clean energy, reducing emissions and maximize the value of the region’s oil and gas sector during energy transition and in doing so create sustainable local and regional employment.
The Council has now joined the Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA), which promotes and develops Scottish expertise in fuel cells and hydrogen technologies, and has applied for membership of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, an organisation with an aim to deploy ambitious hydrogen technologies across Europe by 2030. The Council has also joined NECCUS, which is an industry-led alliance drawn from industry, academia, membership organisations and private sector bodies to promote Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage (CCUS) in Scotland.
Clean energy requirements, on both a local and regional scale, provide a huge opportunity for Shetland to develop an energy hub by harnessing the plentiful local natural wind and tidal energy resources coupled with the development and adoption of new technologies such as blue and green hydrogen generation and the management of carbon emissions.
John Smith, Director, Infrastructure Services: “In order for the energy hub project to be successful there is a need to ensure that our work has the support and help of wider organisations. It is very important to undertake studies to test how hydrogen can become a reliable and cost efficient means of providing clean energy.
“The Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are working closely together to promote a number of local hydrogen fuel and heating projects for government funding. The Council also recently joined a study, co-funded by the Scottish Government, to determine the most economical solution for marine hydrogen transportation.”
Project Manager for the SIC Douglas Irvine: “The decision has been taken to name the energy hub work the Orion Project (standing for ‘Opportunity for Renewables Integration with Offshore Networks’), which takes into account both the local and regional nature of the project, as well as providing a memorable name which people can relate to.”