UK resarchers to split seawater into H2 for safe on-board production and storage

In the UK, researchers at Brunel University of London and Genuine H2 will split seawater into hydrogen, store it safely on-board ships and boats and burn it to power engines emitting only steam. Led by Brunel’s Centre for Powertrain and Fuels and start-up Genuine H2, the project is Britain’s first all-in-one hydrogen maritime demonstrator. It splits hydrogen directly from seawater, then stores it safely at room temperature and pressure, without pressurized tanks or super-cold systems needed normally.

Backed by £1.44 million from the Department for Transport’s UK SHORE initiative and Innovate UK, the project is part of a £30 million push to decarbonize British shipping and sea travel. The goal is to take diesel out of ferries, trawlers and workboats where batteries are impractical.