applications, CEO Morten Holum reveals all
By George Heynes on Jul 22, 2021
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Hexagon Purus’ expansion of hydrogen into maritime applications, CEO Morten Holum reveals all
Hexagon Purus’ expansion of hydrogen into maritime applications, CEO Morten Holum reveals all
By George Heynes
on Jul 22, 2021
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“The maritime industry is looking for a solution for decarbonisation, and with the exposure we have had in this sector, we think we can provide those solutions with hydrogen.”
Those were the words of Morten Holum, CEO of Hexagon Purus, when he recently sat down to tell H2 View about the company’s new hydrogen maritime division, Hexagon Purus Maritime.
The establishment of Hexagon Purus Maritime will see the group’s zero-emission hydrogen technology be applied to the maritime industry, with Norway being the initial focal point from the onset. This is due to the nation having some of the strongest maritime technology industries in the world.
Hexagon Purus’ hydrogen storage and distribution business is well positioned to support energy transition in the national maritime sector, and it could enable the group to become an established global leader for integrated products in the emerging maritime hydrogen market.
“We’re accelerating our own efforts and setting up this dedicated maritime hydrogen business area,” Holum told H2 View as he highlighted the group’s recognition to the importance of the maritime sector in reaching decarbonisation targets set by both the EU and Norway.
To achieve those targets, Hexagon Purus Maritime will bring its hydrogen technology to the maritime industry and support the energy transition in this sector, “We have vast experience with hydrogen storage technologies and hydrogen fuel systems; we’ve already put these to use in many different mobility applications,” Holum said.
With Hexagon Purus utilising its technology across various different mobility sectors, it is clear that this proven track record could become a mainstay in the shipping sector, whilst boosting the technological expertise of the group itself.
This could see many of the same technologies applied to various projects that Hexagon Purus is working on, adapting each to the set requirements and increasing the groups experience with each project.
Holum continued, “We’ve already put these [technologies] to use in many different mobility applications such as trucks or buses, cars, trains, gas distribution modules. Now we’re adapting that technology to the to the maritime environment. It’s not really developing new technology; the technology is already there. It’s about adapting it to a new application.”
“Hydrogen needs to happen faster. We see a strong push from ship owners, from the industry and from government, but we also need to put our own activities in motion to accelerate mobilising to support the industry in its decarbonisation efforts.”
Potential is the main factor for branching into the shipping industry. With an increase of interest in this sector for zero-emission solutions, hydrogen and its derivatives have appeared at the forefront of potential technologies to accelerate the clean fuel transition.
When asked about the potential hydrogen has in the shipping sector, Holum asserted, “I think the potential is quite significant.”
“Ammonia is one of the zero-emission technologies and fuels that the industry is looking into. But I think for compressed hydrogen, everything that’s nearshore, such as ferries and freights, are what we are particularly interested in.
Holum told H2 View, “Of course, what’s happening around us in Norway, I think there is a significant opportunity, we haven’t put a number on that opportunity, but it’s significant enough that we believe that this is a really good thing.”
“With the interest that we have seen through our customer dialogues, ship builders are also looking for hydrogen solutions. We have come into these discussions and now we’re thinking it’s time for us to take this step and set up a business, recruit additional personnel and be able to handle the business volume that will come.”
With the anticipation that hydrogen solutions in the marine industry will scale up in the next few years, Hexagon Purus aims to establish itself at the forefront of the transition and be capable of matching the industry demand for hydrogen solutions.
Holum suggested, “Hydrogen needs to happen faster. We see a strong push from ship owners, from the industry and from government, but we also need to put our own activities in motion to accelerate mobilising to support the industry in its decarbonisation efforts.”
During the discussion, Holum hinted to H2 View that Hexagon Purus Maritime is also a part of several development phase hydrogen projects in the shipping sector already including one in the San Francisco Bay area, in addition to a hydrogen-powered ferry that transports people around the Norwegian fjords.