ITEG will develop and validate an integrated tidal energy and hydrogen production solution for clean energy generation to be demonstrated in Orkney. The project addresses energy related carbon emissions in North West Europe and will tackle grid export limitations faced in remote communities.
Led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, the ITEG project brings together partners from across the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands and will adopt three low carbon technologies (tidal turbine, electrolyser and Energy Management System)
The cost of pre-commercial demonstration for ocean energy is high and investors are reluctant to invest until the technology has been proven in the sea at scale. ITEG sets out to drive down these costs through the development of an integrated hydrogen production solution.
The integrated solution combines Orbital's next generation 2 MW floating tidal energy converter, the Orbital O2, with EMEC's 670 kW electrolyser and an onshore energy management system (EMS) at EMEC's onshore hydrogen production site on the Orkney island of Eday.
Initially due to complete in December 2022, ITEG received an approved project modification which will see the project run until September 2023.
In a context of global supply chain issues, the 0.5 MW hydrogen electrolyser initially scoped for ITEG could not be delivered by partner Elogen within the timeframe of the project. Elogen remains an active partner within the consortium and, as such, will support the production of valuable documentation on topics including lessons learned during manufacture, technological advances and scalability of electrolysers.
The updated combined tidal and hydrogen solution will use power generated by the Orbital O2, which was deployed at the Fall of Warness in 2021, to demonstrate hydrogen production from tidal energy using EMEC’s 670kW electrolyser with a smart onshore energy management system (EMS).
A recent vanadium flow battery installation on EMEC’s site will also be incorporated into the demonstration ‘to smooth’ the tidal power output and optimise hydrogen production.
The EMS system will enable EMEC to control whether the tidal power generated is fed into the national grid, directly into the electrolyser to produce hydrogen or into the battery to be stored and used at a later date.
Take a closer look at the ITEG project concept in our 360 video!
Project objectives
Develop and validate an integrated tidal energy and hydrogen production solution for clean energy generation in remote areas
Open new market opportunities for the ocean energy sector through hydrogen production and energy storage
Optimise the EMS and fast-track a clean energy generation, management and storage solution towards commercialisation
Build a roadmap to support the replication of the integrated solution in other remote, grid restricted areas
The following graphic shows how the three low carbon technologies will form an integrated hydrogen production solution;
Orbital O2 2MW tidal turbine animation
ITEG Consortium in Oostende, October 2019 (Credit University of Ghent)
Hero image at top of web page: Orbital O2 Orkney arrival (Credit Orbital)
Construction work on an innovative tidal energy device destined for Orkney waters is continuing, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Scottish based tidal energy developer Orbital Marine Power (Orbital) have signed up to a second berth at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. This will pave the way for Orbital to deliver their first floating tidal turbine farm. Read More
Orbital Marine Power Ltd (Orbital), the world’s leading developer of floating tidal stream turbines, have awarded the main manufacturing contract for the company’s first commercial O2 tidal turbine to Scottish based TEXO Group who will carry out the work at their quayside facilities in Dundee. Read More
Orbital Marine Power Ltd (Orbital), have selected FAUN Trackway® to manufacture the anchors for their new O2 tidal turbine at FAUN Trackway®’s facilities in Llangefni, North Wales as part of the ITEG (Integrating Tidal Energy into the European Grid) project funded by Interreg NWE. Read More
The design of the new Orbital Marine Power tidal turbine has been unveiled in a new animation which forms part of the ITEG project, funded by European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg North West Europe Programme. Read More
An €11 million Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) project has been launched in Orkney to develop an all-in-one solution for the generation of clean predictable energy, grid management, and the production of hydrogen from excess capacity. Read More
With a view to 2050, the European Commission is also putting forward renewable hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. This thematic seminar will guide you through the latest market and technology trends. We’re specifically focusing on the marriage of offshore energy, such as offshore wind energy in combination with the production of green hydrogen.
Hydrogen is an important part of the European Green Deal. The development of renewable hydrogen based on wind and solar energy is a priority for the European Commission. The aim is to decarbonise the production of hydrogen.
The increasing production of offshore wind energy in Europe, in addition to other forms of energy production at sea that are still in full development, offer numerous opportunities to combine and integrate electrolysis. The use of hydrogen will gradually be introduced in various industrial sectors, including the offshore sector. Read More
Hydrogen is now a fundamental pillar of energy policy of the EU as it transitions to a net zero future. It is a key component of the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration and has been included in the TEN-E framework. To unlock hydrogen’s benefits the EU hydrogen strategy5 targets 6 GW of electrolyser by 2024 and 40 GW by 2040, with heavy-duty transport identified as a key sector.
Globally, Governments are recognising the hydrogen opportunity and need for government support and have implemented hydrogen strategies whilst others are developing ambitious hydrogen plans.
Hydrogen is the catalyst driving Europe’s energy transition. Optimising this journey delivering SMARTH2 through valorisation of the hydrogen supply chain, production, storage and use to meet future need is key to creating a successful hydrogen Europe.
Webinar #4 in the GenComm SMARTH2 series on May 18, 2021 will examine how countries are scaling up and optimising production from additional green energy resources to meet current demand and opening new avenues of generation for utilisation.
The series of webinars will run from 10th March through to 27th May and will cover such topics as hydrogen optimisation, supply, infrastructure & storage, demand & use and stakeholder engagement. Read More
The H2FC Supergen Hub held an online Innovation Workshop on Thursday 25 February & Friday 26 February 2021 to bring research and industry communities together.
It explored hydrogen and fuel cell technology challenges from an industry perspective and how academic and industry can best collaborate to achieve their goals. There were talks from a number of industry leaders and key academics as well as opportunity for discussion and networking. Each session consisted of a talk from an academic and talks from key industry speakers, followed by interactive discussion with attendees.
ITEG consortium members were in attendance for learning opportunities and networking purposes. Read More
The Marine Energy Wales conference is the largest conference in the UK dedicated to marine energy.
EMEC will present work in the ocean energy sector and showcase projects including ITEG and report on progress. Read More
European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is a month-long series of activities to build a secure energy future for Europe. It brings together public authorities, private companies, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives to save energy and move towards renewables for clean, secure and efficient power. Read More
The Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) programme is pleased to announce its first impact event on 4 and 5 December 2019, which will take place in Tourcoing (Lille agglomeration, Hauts-de-France) at La Chaufferie.
Over a day and a half, this transnational event will focus on the results achieved by the 83 NWE projects funded so far, and how to further support their uptake and impact.
Through a wide variety of sessions and formats, the programme will offer unique opportunities for participants to network, exchange and explore new potential collaborations. Read More
Seanergy is the international forum dedicated to Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy. Seanergy aims to structure and promote the MRE sector through the field of offshore wind – fixed and floating – tidal energy, floating solar, wave energy, Marine Thermal Energy (MTE)…
Seanergy gathers around 250 exhibitors and more than 3500 international actors of the MRE field (politics, ordering institutions (energy operators and industrials), technological experts, NGOs, researchers, investors and subcontractors), around an exhibition area, conferences, business meetings and industrial sites’ visits; with the goal of reinforcing synergies between all the actors of this industry, accelerating its structuration and promoting its development, in France and worldwide.
The purpose of the event is to accelerate development by stimulating collaboration between companies, researchers and development centres. It also targets engagement of operators with experience in related marine and power industry sectors. Read More
All-Energy is the UK’s leading renewable and low carbon energy event, showcasing the latest technologies and services for the supply chain and both private and public sector energy end users, developers and investors. Read More
Residents meeting on Eday to update islanders on the latest developments on EMEC's Fall of Warness tidal test site and upcoming ITEG project activity on the Caldale Hydrogen production site. Read More
Deliverable D.I: 1.1.1 | Assessment of water supply options and impact of using seawater on the design of electrolysers to be sited on Eday (July 2019)
LT.2.3: Opportunities for Roll-Out of Tidal Generation with Electrolysis Across North West Europe Benefits, Impacts, Configuration and Potential Sites for Maximum Value (August 2022)
M. R. Barakat, B.T. Ighil, H. Gualous, and D. Hissel, “Modeling of a Hybrid Marine Current- Hydrogen Active Power Generation System.”
A paper by M. R. Barakat, B.T. Ighil, H. Gualous, and D. Hissel published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Vol 44, Issue 19, pp. 9621-35, April 2019
“This paper presents the modeling and the simulation of a hybrid marine current-hydrogen power generation system. The marine current power generation system consists of a fixed pitch marine current turbine directly coupled to a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The generator is connected to a DC link capacitor via a controlled rectifier, which has two modes of operation. The first mode is the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) by using torque control when the generator runs below the rated speed. The second mode is the power limitation (at the rated value) when the generator runs above the nominal speed. The generated power is transferred from the DC-link to the load via an inverter to run the system in a stand-alone operation mode. An energy storage system must cover the difference between the generation and the consumption for this scheme. The hydrogen, compared with the different energy storage systems, exhibits characteristics more applicable for marine current power generation systems. When the generated power is higher than the load requirements, a Megawatt-scale proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer consumes the surplus energy for hydrogen generation. The generated hydrogen is stored in tanks to feed a PEM fuel cell system to generate power in case of shortage. Based on this topology and operation procedure, the overall system is called an active power generation system. The MW scale PEM electrolyzer model is presented based on state of the art and the literature of different scales PEM electrolyzer system modeling”.
M. R. Barakat, B.T. Ighil, H. Gualous, and D. Hissel, “JADE Based Multi-Agent Decentralized Energy Management System of a hybrid Marine-Hydrogen Power Generation System.”
Oral presentation in Proceedings of ELECTRIMACS 2019, the 13th international conference of the IMACS TC1 Committee Salerno, Italy, from 21st-23rd May 2019.
Also featured in book ELECTRIMACS 2019 edited by Springer
“This paper presents the decentralized JADE (Java Agent Development Environment) based Multi-Agent System (MAS) oriented to the energy management and balance of the hybrid marine-hydrogen power generation system. The proposed hybrid marine-hydrogen system consists of a fixed pitch direct drive tidal turbine, a MegaWatt (MW) scale proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, and fuel cell and a Li-ion battery stack. The different components are coupled together on a DC-link via different topologies of power electronics converters for feeding a residential load as isolated system architecture. The MW scale electrolyzer and fuel cell systems represent the main elements of the hydrogen energy storage system. An isolated mode of operation is programmed to evaluate the MAS capability of energy management and balance considering the marine current intermittency and the demand-side variations. The proposed energy management system considers the safe operations of the electrolyzers, fuel cell and battery by considering their constraints and dynamics.”
A. Alex, R. Petrone, B. Tala-Ighil, D. Bozalakov, L. Vandevelde, H. Gualous, Optimal techno-enviro-economic analysis of a hybrid grid connected tidal-wind-hydrogen energy system
Paper by A. Alex, R. Petrone, B. Tala-Ighil, D. Bozalakov, L. Vandevelde, H. Gualous published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol 47, issue 86, pp. 36448-36464, 2022
“The study deals with the techno-enviro-economic aspects of hydrogen production using polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers powered by a hybrid grid-connected tidal-wind energy system. System modelling is presented initially. The energy management strategies for hydrogen production are then analysed as rule-based approach and as optimised approach. An objective function to maximise the operating profit under optimal system operation is formulated considering the variable energy costs, capital and maintenance expenditure, and real system constraints. A comprehensive cost analysis of the system is obtained by comparing two different optimisation approaches based on fixed cost and levelised cost factors, respectively. Towards reaching this goal, the use of mixed integer genetic algorithm optimisation is investigated. The operation of electrolyser in terms of its different operating modes, namely stop, running, and stand-by is presented. The dynamic optimisation of an electrolyser capable of working at up to twice its nominal rating for a limited duration is also analysed in the study. The results of the optimisation approach are 41.5% and 47% higher than the rule-based approach in terms of the annualised profit and carbon emission savings, respectively. In addition, the recurrent switching of electrolyser unit operating modes is avoided with the optimisation approach, reducing the associated energy consumption of about 27.2 MWh annually. The proposed model can be used as a generic tool for hydrogen production analysis under different contexts and it is especially applicable in high green energy potential sites with constrained grid facilities.”
M. R. Barakat, B.T. Ighil, H. Gualous, and D. Hissel, “Energy Management of a Hybrid Tidal Turbine-Hydrogen Micro-Grid: Losses Minimization Strategy.”
Oral presentation at the 8th International Conference on “Fundamentals & Development of Fuel Cells” held in Nantes, France, from February 12th to February 14th, 2019. Session 6c: Hydrogen Systems: Design, Energy Management System and Converters
A. Alex, R. Petrone, H. Obeid, B. Tala-Ighil, L. Vandevelde, H. Gualous, ITEG - Tidal energy integration with hydrogen production: a case study for energy management optimisation
A. Alex, R. Petrone, B. Tala-Ighil, H. Obeid, H. Gualous and L. Vandevelde, Electrolytic hydrogen production from tidal energy: A technical and economic perspective.
Poster selected for presentation at EWETEC 2021, Plymouth, UK, 2021
Poster on 'Electrolytic hydrogen production from tidal energy: A technical and economic perspective.' presented at EWTEC 2021, Plymouth UK: https://ewtec.org/ewtec-2021/
To cite: Ansu Alex. Tidal stream energy integration with green hydrogen production : energy management and system optimisation. Electric power. Normandie Université, 2022. English. ffNNT : 2022NORMC216ff. fftel-03912681f
Dimitar Bozalakov, Kaveh Dadkhah, Lieven Vandevelde, ITEG: INTEGRATING TIDAL ENERGY INTO THE EUROPEAN GRID
The main challenges for renewable energy integration in electrical grid system are their variability and prediction. Tidal renewable energy is considered low variability in comparison to wind energy generation and due to tides regular periodicity, it is often quoted as predictable. This paper presents the modeling of Orkney's distribution network with the integration of tidal energy. This multi-physics model is based on the graphical formalism tool, Energetic Macroscopic Representation (EMR). This tool has been used to analyze the Tidal energy conversion (TEC) system based on the behavior of permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). The daily, monthly and yearly variations of marine water speed in Orkney were observed. The EMR has been efficiently used in the representation of Orkney energy system integration of Orbital O2 tidal systems, and showing its effectiveness to adopt the control strategy. More precisely, the data of current water profile for 2009 has been chosen from 10 years big data to test the adopted deduced control technique. The methodology of this tool is described in details and the simulation results obtained in MATLAB environment are presented.
Ahmed AL AMERI, Alireza PAYMAN, Mamadou Baïlo CAMARA, Brayima DAKYO, “Control Strategy for Orbital O2 Tidal System Based on EMR model”
Presentation at 14th International Conference of TC-Electrimacs (ELECTRIMACS2022), Nancy, France, 16-19 May 2022
Presentation at 14th International Conference of TC-Electrimacs (ELECTRIMACS2022), Nancy, France, 16-19 May 2022
Matt Beeson, Chris Ward, HYDROGEN GENERATION ON ORKNEY: INTEGRATING ESTABLISHED RISK MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICE TO EMERGING CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR
Conference paper presented at International Conference for Hydrogen Safety (ICHS), Edinburgh, 2021
View paper here: https://hysafe.info/uploads/papers/2021/20.pdf
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Find the links below to watch the ITEG webinar series.
The 4 part series took place between 2021 and 2023, featuring various guest speaker who provide insight into the ITEG project and related research in tidal energy, hydrogen production and end use applications as well as the discussion around the scale up.
ITEG Webinar Series | Part 1: The Importance of Tidal Energy in a Clean Hydrogen Economy
In the first webinar of the ITEG series, we discuss the important contribution that tidal energy can bring to achieving global carbon emission reduction targets. Speakers discuss the latest tidal innovations under development and how integration with hydrogen production could open up new market opportunities for the ocean energy sector.
The webinar will also share insight from the ITEG project: an integrated tidal energy and hydrogen production solution for clean energy generation to be demonstrated in Orkney.
This webinar featuring speakers from Smart Hydrogen Consulting, HyEnergy Consultancy, EMEC, Orbital Marine Power and HydroWing.
ITEG Webinar Series | Part 2: Clean Energy Pathways & Next Generation Hydrogen Valleys
For our second ITEG webinar, we look at exemplar hydrogen valleys in Europe and discuss how new clean energy pathways, including marine energy, can contribute to the development of the next generation of hydrogen valleys.
Chaired by EMEC, this webinar will feature speakers from New Energy Coalition, the Green Hysland project, TECO2030 and Hydrogen Ireland.
ITEG Webinar Series | Part 3: Sector Coupling & Scaling for Widescale Hydrogen Roll Out
In the third webinar in the ITEG series, we discuss the need for sector coupling to enable large scale roll out of clean hydrogen and realise the benefits of a wide scale hydrogen ecosystem.
This webinar features speakers from Elogen, Energy Systems Catapult, SSE Renewables and the Port of Rotterdam.
ITEG Webinar Series | Part 4: Strategies for Successful Hydrogen Deployment and Integration
In the fourth and final webinar in the ITEG series, we discuss initial lessons learnt from the soon to conclude Interreg funded ITEG Project (Integrating Tidal Energy in the European Grid).
Chaired by Smart Hydrogen Consulting, this webinar will feature speakers from EMEC, University of Galway and HyEnergy.
The panel will discuss the project achievements and consider the key factors, including policy, to provide the framework for wide scale future hydrogen deployments.