ESB has launched new H₂ power generation demonstration fuel cells to showcase what is the first deployment of H₂ to electricity in Ireland. A demonstration of this unit is being hosted at ESB’s head office on Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

The units are produced by GeoPura, a UK-based renewable energy company, and their partner, Siemens Energy. This type of H₂ power unit can support the network by using fuel cell technology, converting H₂ to electricity, to supply up to 250 kW of clean power when required – with the only by-product being pure water.

In a net zero world where Ireland has large volumes of renewables, converting renewable energy into green H₂, and storing it for use in periods when the sun is not shining and wind is not blowing, will be extremely beneficial. The deployment of electrolyzers (electricity to H₂) and fuel cells (H₂ to electricity) enable this conversion process.

The deployment of the fuel cells is the first phase of a demonstration-scale green H₂ lighthouse project. The second phase will involve the deployment of an electrolyzer at ESB’s Aghada Power Station in Co Cork – the overall project will be completed in 2025.

On completion, ESB will be able to demonstrate the conversion of electricity to H₂ and H₂ to electricity. This will also enable demonstrations of the role green H₂ can play in reducing Ireland’s emissions, particularly from hard-to-abate industrial processes and certain transport applications such as heavy goods vehicles and aviation.

Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading, said, “We know that to reach net zero in the timeframe that we have set out other sources of clean energy will be required to support the electricity system here in Ireland. At ESB, we believe green H₂ will be one of those sources and I am really excited to be here today to see first-hand how the H₂ power units we will deploy as part of our wider Lighthouse Project will work. We would like to thank our partner, GeoPura, for their innovative work on this project. ESB will use this technology to build capability and understanding of the role green H₂ will play in the net zero energy system of the future. This will be an important energy source for backup dispatchable electricity generation at times when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.”  

Alistair Gemmell, Chief Business Development Officer at GeoPura, said, "We’re thrilled to partner with ESB on this groundbreaking project, marking a significant step towards a zero-carbon future for Ireland. By showing that green H₂ can replace fossil fuels for power generation across various sectors, ESB is leading the way in reducing climate-damaging emissions and improving local air quality, generating clean, reliable energy to deliver a more sustainable and resilient energy system. This ambitious Lighthouse Project not only protects our planet but also our health, setting a strong example for others to follow and we look forward to continuing to support ESB to implement its H₂ strategy and reduce emissions in Ireland."

This type of unit has already supplied energy for large-scale events including festivals and television productions and replaced diesel generators in some construction settings. ESB is planning a series of demonstrations of the units at locations across the country in late 2024 and early 2025 to showcase the versatility of H₂ fuel cell technology in different applications.

This project supports Ireland’s National H₂ Strategy which identifies H₂’s key role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate parts of the economy and enhancing energy security. Green H₂ is produced from renewable electricity – specifically hydro, wind or solar.