Scottish company Nova Innovation is leading a consortium that will investigate the potential for producing green hydrogen and oxygen from its tidal energy projects in Shetland.

The study, funded by the Scottish Government’s Emerging Energy Technologies Fund – Hydrogen Innovation Scheme, is called the GHOST Project, which stands for Green Hydrogen and Oxygen Supply from Tidal Energy.

The consortium, which includes the University of Strathclyde, Shetland Islands Council, and Ricardo Energy, will investigate the potential markets for hydrogen and oxygen for transport, domestic heating, and industry, including the SaxaVord Space Centre. The project will explore the potential for tidal energy projects around Yell, one of Scotland’s carbon-neutral islands, to deliver the predictable electricity required by electrolyzers to make hydrogen and oxygen for Shetland.

Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that rely on fossil fuels, green hydrogen generated from renewable power is a clean and sustainable alternative that has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry and forms a key part of the Scottish Government’s energy strategy.

The GHOST Project will also investigate the use of oxygen for aquaculture on Shetland and the SaxaVord Space Centre, which has the potential to create 100% renewable rocket fuel. Nova Innovation already operates the world’s first offshore tidal array in Bluemull Sound, to the north of Yell, and is developing a 15MW project in Yell Sound, to the south.

The project will be advised by an Industrial Steering Group of local Shetland companies, including SaxaVord Space Centre, Cooke Aquaculture, and Voar Energy. The CEO of Nova Innovation, Simon Forrest, said that green hydrogen would transform the energy industry, deliver benefits for the people of Shetland in terms of heat and transport, and create the possibility of green space flight. He added that hydrogen is a promising route to market for tidal energy and other renewables and that the study will provide valuable insights into the role of green hydrogen and oxygen across Shetland.

Frank Strang, CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport, said that the project aligns perfectly with the company’s aspiration to create Europe’s leading sustainable spaceport and looks forward to supporting Nova Innovation and the team.

The GHOST Project has the potential to have a significant impact on the Scottish energy industry. It could pave the way for the commercial production of green hydrogen and oxygen using tidal energy, providing a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional production methods that rely on fossil fuels. It could also create new markets for hydrogen and oxygen in transport, domestic heating, and industry, as well as aquaculture and spaceflight. However, there are potential challenges surrounding the project, such as the cost of producing green hydrogen and the infrastructure required to transport and store it.

Overall, the GHOST Project is an innovative and exciting initiative that could play a key role in Scotland’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The project is expected to produce valuable insights into the potential of green hydrogen and oxygen and the role of tidal energy in the energy industry.