2 days ago
Scotland makes 'revolutionary' underwater discovery that could change the world
Scotland boasts a rich variety of natural resources, including significant deposits of oil and gas and renewable energy potential. But a recent discovery of hidden underwater treasure could change the game entirely.
Glasgow-based Oasis Marine has developed a system that could bring an end to diesel fuel shipping and change global economy as well as the future of the shipping industry. It could also play a big part in preserving our planet.
The green technology company has come up with an industrial solution for offshore hydrogen bunkering and electric charging that is "revolutionary". The Oasis Marine technology makes it easier for marine vessels to switch from emissions -producing diesel systems to green hydrogen if refuelling infrastructure is easier to access.
The Oasis Hydrogen Buoy and Oasis Power Bouy provides offshore bunkering for hydrogen refuelling and electrical charging for marine vessels in technology - pipped to be ground-breaking for the shipping and hydrogen industries.
The idea is that the hydrogen fuel will be stored at an offshore location before being transferred via the Oasis Hydrogen Buoy to ships for either transporting to other supply destinations or use as their own fuel source.
The network could also potentially be expanded into an offshore "hydrogen highway," according to eldiaro24.
George Smith, Managing Director of Oasis Marine, said the hydrogen buoy and the charging buoy could well bring down emissions in the marine industry.
"These buoys will have a tangible impact in our shift from hydrocarbons towards a green energy future," he said.
"Currently, windfarm maintenance vessels rely on fossil fuels and make up the largest component of an operational windfarm's carbon footprint.
"While that will be our initial focus, the technology could be applied to other vessels across the maritime industry."
He went on to describe the new adventure as multi-layered: "The maritime energy mix of the future won't be a single solution but will be made up of different renewable sources.
"Our Oasis buoys deliver two of those through hydrogen and electric charging, both of which come from renewable, low-cost energy generated by wind farms."
Oasis Marine also shared its expectation that "all new vessels being ordered for use in the UK waters be designed with zero emission propulsion capability by 2025" in an effort to slash maritime emissions by at least half.
The Scottish Government has thrown its weight behind the new buoy and bunkering technology. The Oasis tech performed well under test conditions and projections are positive.
The emission-free system was tested at the Kelvin Hydrodynamic Laboratory in Glasgow and showed that the mooring buoy is able to successfully connect to ocean-going vessels.
Benefits of offshore hydrogen systems include decarbonisation. This means green hydrogen systems can be used instead of more damaging diesel systems which pump out carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Refuelling will be more sustainable, easier, and accessible, and the hydrogen will be produced using seawater, which is a resource that cannot be depleted. The Oasis Marine buoys will also offer electrical charging facilities.
