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Newcastle University: Zero-emission propulsion system successfully tested on research vessel

A pioneering £4.6m project has successfully retrofitted Newcastle University’s research vessel, The Princess Royal, with an innovative zero-emission propulsion system.


Led by renewable electrification specialist AceOn, with support from experts at Newcastle University, the project developed battery and hydrogen technology to power the marine vessels used for servicing offshore wind turbines.


Funded by Innovate UK under the CMDC 3 call, the aim of Retrofittable Propulsion System for Electric Vessels with Hydrogen Range Extender (RESTORE) was to retrofit The Princess Royal with a battery-electric propulsion system and hydrogen powered generator to charge the battery extending the range of operation.


This innovative propulsion system, which is not for permanent installation, provided The Princess Royal with transformative solutions to run on zero emissions in line with addressing decarbonisation challenges in the maritime sector.


Project RESTORE

The RESTORE project brought together a consortium of leading businesses and academic institutions, including AceOn Group, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Engas Global, Newcastle University, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool, Taurus Engineering, and CAGE — each contributing specialist expertise to advance clean maritime innovation.


The Newcastle University team (Dr Serkan Turkmen, Dr Rose Norman, Dr Kayvan Pazouki, Dr Yi Zhou and supported by PhD researcher Gabriela Grasu), hosted the MP for Newcastle Central, Chi Onwurah, at Newcastle City marina. Ms Onwurah boarded the vessel for a zero-emission operation on the River Tyne.


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