A hydrogen-powered ferry could be the future for Bristol Harbour. Bristol City Council is inviting companies with the technological know-how to design, develop and demonstrate a hydrogen-fuelled boat in partnership with a local ferry operator.
The aim is to showcase hydrogen fuel cell technology which is emerging as a possible clean and green alternative to traditional diesel and petrol engines. It is hoped that this project will demonstrate the advantages to the public and businesses, kick-starting a hydrogen economy in Bristol and attracting new environmental innovators into the city.
The project will be council funded subject to tender, so the amount the council will pay will not be known until tender process is finalised and a successful bid is selected.
The trial is set to run for between three and six months, starting in the Summer. The ferry will be expected to run for 42 hours over a six day week to demonstrate the advantages of the technology in this setting, including a less noisy and smelly experience for commuters and tourists.
Hydrogen fuel technology is seen as a possible fuel of the future as it is clean, with the potential for significantly lower environmental impacts than other fuels; the only waste product of hydrogen fuel cells is water, so it will help to reduce air pollution in the Harbour.
A number of European cities are experimenting with hydrogen at the moment. Hamburg already runs a hydrogen ferry and Amsterdam will be introducing one soon. Hydrogen is also being implemented as a fuel source for buses in a number of cities following a global trial over the last few years, which included London.
The invitation to bid document provided details of all local ferry operators currently operating council funded services. In the council’s view, all operators have the potential to take the challenge.
Councillor Jon Rogers, Executive Member for Transport and Sustainability, said; “We are looking at alternative environmentally-friendly technologies for all Bristol transport. The harbour is a great place to trial a new innovation which sends this message, as it draws crowds and is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people every year.”
“Bristol has a long history of maritime innovation and this is hopefully the next step. We want to show that Bristol is a place to try out new environmental technologies, creating new jobs while combatting climate change, peak oil and other environmental concerns. We are hopeful that the ferry will also reveal other hydrogen-based opportunities, maybe including the next generation of rapid transit.”