North East Scotland (NES) have developed a proposal to create a Hydrogen Valley in the region, called TH2ISTLE.
A Hydrogen Valley is a European term for a geographical area where hydrogen is made, moved, stored and used in multiple ways – like a Hub.
The North East is Scotland’s oldest hydrogen hub, and Aberdeen has successfully delivered pioneering collaborative EU hydrogen projects that continue to run to date. The burgeoning hydrogen sector provides new energy transition opportunities for local companies and skills.
The TH2ISTLE concept envisions an expansion of the region’s hydrogen capabilities. A demand-led, interconnected set of hydrogen activities would begin to decarbonise interesting sectors like agriculture, distilleries and off-road vehicles, among others.
Coordinated by Aberdeen City Council, the TH2ISTLE consortium involves approximately 30 partners from industry, public sector, academia and international replicators. This includes almost 20 local supply chain companies experienced in the energy industry who will deliver key components and expertise.
ASCO will support and optimise the logistics of hydrogen supply across the TH2ISTLE project.
Key activities will cover:
Hydrogen production
- Integrated production of green hydrogen from the new Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project, TECA and HydroGlen, and the refurbished existing sites at Kittybrewster and ACHES.
Hydrogen Storage & Distribution
- An optimised tube trailer network to distribute H2 from production sites to end users, enhanced by digital monitoring.
- Development of Scotland’s first “hydrogen highway”, with two new Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) between Peterhead and Aberdeen.
- Development of a hydrogen bowser to connect to remote hydrogen applications.
Hydrogen End-users
- A fleet of hydrogen-powered road and offroad vehicles (HGVs, vans, passenger vehicles, construction vehicles and agricultural vehicles) deployed by public and private sector users.
- ETZ’s Green Hydrogen Test & Demonstration Facility, to develop innovative hydrogen technologies.
- Conversion of local distilleries to enable trials of 20% hydrogen blends.
- Innovative nano catalyst ammonia production, co-located with the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub.
- Hydrogen-fuelled generators to provide power in off-grid applications, such as construction sites.
Innovation and Studies
- Creation of a Digital Twin to monitor and assess TH2ISTLE system’s performance.
- Technical, environmental and economic studies; analysis of regulatory barriers.
Engagement and Skills
- Events, workshops and webinars to explain TH2ISTLE’s progress and achievements.
- Awareness-raising, skills development, outreach to young people and local communities.
In April 2024, the proposal was submitted to a European funding competition for Hydrogen Valleys. If successful, TH2ISTLE could be awarded EUR9 million, which would complement the existing and additional funding in place for these projects. A funding decision is expected in Summer 2024 and the TH2ISTLE project’s prospective start date is Q1 2025.
Learn more about ASCO's involvement in New Energy here.