The building innovative green hydrogen systems in isolated territories (BIG HIT) project will show Orkney is a replicable hydrogen territory, using curtailed renewable energy to produce, transport and consume green hydrogen locally.
The project showed sustainable production as well as cross-cutting supply for the heat, power and transport sectors.
The project develops innovation, efficiently making use of the ‘quadruple helix’ model of cooperation by involving public, private, university and community.
Judges’ comments: A fantastic example of cutting edge collaboration through world-leading technology, solving a local problem with positive global consequences. Very impressive, pioneering technology – absolutely world-leading – with the council playing a strong facilitation role. Orkney is building on 5,000 years of innovation, and leading ground-breaking solutions.
Overview
BIG HIT builds on foundations laid by the Orkney Surf ‘n’ Turf initiative, which will see production of hydrogen on the islands of Eday and Shapinsay using wind and tidal energy.
Renewable electricity generated on the islands of Eday and Shapinsay is used by electrolysers to produce hydrogen, by electrolysis of water. This hydrogen is then stored as high pressure gas in the tube trailers, which can be transported to mainland Orkney.
BIG HIT uses two state-of-the-art proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers. The Shapinsay electrolyser is 1MW capacity and Eday electrolyser is 0.5MW capacity, both located close to the renewable generation assets. The hydrogen acts as an energy-storage medium which can later be converted back into heat and power for buildings and vessels in Kirkwall harbour, as well as the fuel for the operation of zero-emission hydrogen vehicles in and around Kirkwall.
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