Hebridean Hydrogen Seed (H2seed)

The Hebridean Hydrogen seed (H2seed) project is phase 2 of the Hebridean Hydrogen Park plan. H2seed will establish a renewably generated hydrogen supply chain in the Outer Hebrides, provide technology demonstration projects, deliver appropriate safety training to users and emergency services, and undertake public awareness activities.

Pictorial overview of the H2seed project

The Hydrogen Supply Chain

A hydrogen production and storage facility will be developed adjacent to the Waste Treatment Plant at the Creed Enterprise Park on the outskirts of Stornoway. Hydrogen will be generated by water electrolysis using the excess electrical power available from the biogas engine. Bulk hydrogen storage will be in medium pressure vessels.

The electrolyser will be based on the robust and established alkaline process and will be designed for optimal operation with a renewable electrical energy supply. Production capacity will be a modest 5Nm3/h (five normalised cubic metres per hour) at first. However, it is envisaged that this will be increased in later phases of the Hebridean Hydrogen Park plan as alternative sources of renewable electricity generation become available (e.g. wind turbines).

Demonstration Projects

The first demonstration project will acquire at least two hydrogen fuelled internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. These will be available as pool vehicles for employees of the Comhairle displacing the use of oil-based fuel vehicles. The value of such demonstrations can be quantified in environmental terms (reducing CO2 emissions, improving the carbon-footprint of the Comhairle) as well as financial terms (reducing operational revenue savings).

The refuelling station required to supply the vehicles will be installed next to hydrogen production facility.

Operation & Maintenance

A five year operation and maintenance programme has been planned.

Training & Awareness

The introduction of new technologies requires the provision of training. The H2seed project will provide training for the facility operators, emergency response service personnel and for facility users to ensure safe working practices are understood and that appropriate incident response protocols are developed.

Hydrogen fuelled vehicles have been chosen as an initial demonstration project primarily for their high visibility throughout the Outer Hebrides. This will help to raise local public awareness to the potential benefits of hydrogen use. This will be complemented by a comprehensive public relations and marketing programme to promote the Outer Hebrides initiatives at a local, national and international level.

Training and education is considered to be a vital part of the H2seed project and will continue throughout the project.

Benefits of H2seed Project

• Create a hydrogen production facility with the capacity to grow
• Produce a clean fuel (hydrogen) from sustainable resources 
• Tangibly reduce CO2 emissions and the carbon footprint of the Comhairle
• Develop workforce skills
• Increase public awareness of the potential of hydrogen as a fuel
• Continue the groundbreaking achievement epitomised by the establishment of Scotland’s first purpose built hydrogen teaching lab
• Enhance the image of the Outer Hebrides as an innovative, environmentally friendly and dynamic area

Project Partners & Funding

The H2seed project is being delivered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HIE-Innse Gall and the Stornoway Trust in conjunction with specialist advice from Lews Castle College, PURE Energy™ Centre LTD and NTDA Energia.

Funding is provided from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s 2004-08 capital programme. Additional financial support (£250,000) has been provided from the Scottish Renewable Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Support Scheme.