Site in Orkney has produced hydrogen from electricity generated by tidal energy for the first time.

In a world first for clean energy, researchers in Scotland have generated hydrogen using electricity from tidal arrays.

The first ever ‘tidal hydrogen’ was generated at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney at the end of August and announced by the centre yesterday.

Researchers at the site believe it is the first time tidal power has produced hydrogen anywhere in the world.   Traditional production of hydrogen is very energy intensive, negating much of the carbon gains of using the fuel instead of petrol or diesel in cars, or using hydrogen instead of natural gas in heavy industries. Producing hydrogen using clean power sources therefore opens a route for the fuel’s widespread use in transport and industry.

The team used power from the tidal energy test site at Orkney to fuel an electrolyser provided by hydrogen firm ITM Power, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The project was bankrolled with £3m in funding from the Scottish government. Neil Kermode, managing director of EMEC, said the production of hydrogen marked a “tremendous milestone” for the team involved.  “One of the most promising uses of hydrogen is as a fuel for transport as it emits no carbon when it is consumed and, providing it’s generated by clean renewable energy sources, it becomes a carbon neutral fuel source” he said. “Therefore, we could see green hydrogen, over time, replace polluting fuels in our cars, vans and ferries.” Click here to read more