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.

Related Content

  • February 1, 2021
    EasyMile backs AVs to shine 
    EZ10 driverless shuttle fitted with Sono solar panels to shorten recharging times
  • August 15, 2019
    LA launches own ‘Green New Deal’
    Los Angeles, once a temple to the automobile, has followed the Democrats in launching its own Green New Deal – and the city has made big pledges on urban mobility investment The Democratic Party has started something. The Green New Deal, one of whose most high-profile supporters is new congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, intends to persuade the public that swift action is necessary to combat climate change. Now the city of Los Angeles has followed suit, releasing what it calls ‘LA’s Green New Deal’.
  • January 24, 2018
    ABB charging technology available in 95% EV countries
    ABB has announced that its charging technology is now available in 95% of the world’s countries with an electric vehicle (EV) presence. It has also confirmed that its sales of DC fast chargers have exceeded 6,500 ranging from 50 kW up to 450kW which also includes high-power chargers for both cars and buses. The technology is designed with the intention of supporting global e-mobility charging standards.
  • July 20, 2018
    C/AV technology will be ‘life-altering revolution’
    Preparing for the challenges - and promises - of connected and automated vehicles and other emerging transportation technologies does not necessarily mean investing in actual hardware. Matthew Smith identifies eight key points that US transportation authorities need to look at. Transportation technology is moving rapidly. With the advent of connected and automated vehicle (C/AV) technology, the nation is on the verge of experiencing a major transportation revolution: a life-altering revolution akin to th