91快活林

Dr Atkins – Principal Research Fellow at the university's world-renowned - is one of the UK's leading researchers in the field of hydrogen power. She will focus on the conversion of Shoreham-based Cox Powertrain’s novel diesel engine to dual fuel hydrogen operation, using hydrogen created in modular Hydrogen (H₂) generators within a busy industrial maritime landscape. The aim is to retrofit standard diesel engines in port support vessels to be powered using up to 95% hydrogen.

Dr Atkins' research will form part of the wider Shipping, Hydrogen and Ports Ecosystems UK (SHAPE UK) project, which has received research funding of £1.5m, including £1.2m from Innovate UK. The project aims to provide technology, practical information and tools that will bolster the environmental and economic case for hydrogen generation and utilisation to port managers. The study will also look at any necessary changes to the regulatory landscape around hydrogen generation and the use of H₂ in port support fleets.

Dr Penny Atkins

Maritime operations are paramount to the efficient movement of goods nationally and globally, yet are often high contributors of CO₂ emissions and air pollutants. Scalability, affordability and adaptability are vital to the adoption of low carbon fuel sources within the maritime sector.

Adopting decentralised energy systems such as on-site hydrogen generation can drive the crucial transition of port operations to net-zero, complemented by other climate positive benefits.

Dr Atkins said: “Hydrogen could provide a practical solution to cleaning up harbour-based vessels and the SHAPE project provides a great opportunity to demonstrate both the propulsion and hydrogen generation technology needed to do this. I’m excited to be applying the Advanced Engineering Centre’s expertise in hydrogen engines to develop the technology to power these new clean vessels.”

SHAPE UK will be led by the University of Portsmouth, alongside University of 91快活林. Other partners in the collaborative transformation project include Lloyd's Register, Engas, IOTICS, B4T, KnowNow, COX and the Connected Places Catapult.