Skip to main content

Arcola Energy powers UK hydrogen fuel cell project

Arcola Energy has completed delivery and installation of a unique hydrogen fuel cell system, as part of an innovative energy storage project in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Arcola Energy and its German partner Proton Motor joined forces to design, build and install a 75kW hydrogen fuel cell system as part of the island’s innovative Surf ‘n’ Turf project. The project sees excess renewable electricity converted into hydrogen on the island of Eday, which is then stored and transported to Kirkwall on the Or
September 29, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Arcola Energy has completed delivery and installation of a unique hydrogen fuel cell system, as part of an innovative energy storage project in the Orkney Islands, Scotland.


Arcola Energy and its German partner 6861 Proton Motor joined forces to design, build and install a 75kW hydrogen fuel cell system as part of the island’s innovative Surf ‘n’ Turf project. The project sees excess renewable electricity converted into hydrogen on the island of Eday, which is then stored and transported to Kirkwall on the Orkney mainland. Here the fuel cell converts the hydrogen back into electricity to provide renewable power to ferries while they are in port and heat to buildings on the harbour, with zero local emissions.

Later in the year a fleet of hydrogen-powered vans, supplied by Arcola Energy, will also use Orkney’s new hydrogen supply.

 The ‘walk-in’ hydrogen fuel cell system is configured as a training facility, allowing local people to develop the skills required the future operation and maintenance of hydrogen fuel cells on boats. Arcola Energy will initially provide training to the operators of the fuel cell and later support the training of local maintenance staff and crews of marine vessels.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Mobility as a Service gaining traction in US and Europe
    December 15, 2015
    As Mobility as a Service starts to move into the mainstream of transport planning, David Crawford compares European and North American initiatives. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a concept fast gaining traction on both sides of the Atlantic as a way of giving travellers digital multimodal one-stop shops and journey planning tools as an alternative to private car use. Planned delivery methods include subscription-based travel packages in Europe, and 'mobility aggregator' apps, including employee commute ben
  • New York’s Transit Tech Lab launched for 2025
    January 17, 2025
    Annual competition aims to improve public transit in city’s metropolitan area
  • Lyft pledges $50m a year to US transport initiatives
    April 12, 2019
    Lyft is to invest at least $50 million of profits to local transportation initiatives in the US as part of a commitment called Lyft City Works. Starting in Los Angeles, Lyft – which has just begun life on the stock market - says it will support local groups by providing transportation, developing transportation infrastructure and creating clean energy. The company is partnering with mayor Eric Garcetti’s A Bridge Home programme which seeks to tackle homelessness. Lyft will provide transportation to
  • Moscow summit urges transit change
    June 11, 2019
    Moscow summit urges transit change