The Net Zero Technology Centre and ERM have announced the launch of the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) for Hydrogen Transport from Scotland (LHyTS) project, which is expected to play a key role in the export of hydrogen from Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The LHyTS project seeks to demonstrate that LOHC, in the form of methylcyclohexane (MCH), can be successfully transported at scale, providing an export route to the Port of Rotterdam and other European destinations.
According to Net Zero Technology Center, the project will be delivered by a diverse, international consortium, including Axens, Chiyoda, EnQuest, ERM, Koole Terminals, Port of Rotterdam, Scottish Government, Shetland Islands Council, Storegga and the Net Zero Technology Centre.
The partners will work together to undertake engineering studies targeted at developing a pilot project as a precursor to large scale export.
The purpose of this project is for the hydrogen to facilitate various decarbonisation applications. The project aligns with the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Policy Statement, which aims to deliver 5GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 and 25GW by 2045.
The global ambition has also been established, with The European Commission targeting 10 million tons of hydrogen to be imported by 2030.
Hayleigh Barnett, project manager at the Net Zero Technology Centre, commented, “The main challenge in exporting hydrogen is choosing the best means of transportation. Early stage studies in this project have concluded that LOHC has several advantages over other carrier forms, such as ammonia, methanol or liquid hydrogen. Conducting an industrial scale trial is an exciting step in making LOHC export a reality.”
