AceOn Group, a leader in renewable electrification, has led one of the UK’s first successful trials of a hybrid H₂ and battery retrofit propulsion system aboard Newcastle University’s Princess Royal research vessel. This pioneering £4.6-MM RESTORE project marks a breakthrough moment for maritime decarbonization, setting sail into a zero-emission future.

Funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered through Innovate UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC3), RESTORE (Retrofittable Propulsion System for Electric Vessels with H₂ Range Extender) transformed the Princess Royal into a cutting-edge research platform capable of servicing offshore wind turbines with zero emissions.

The project brought together a world-class consortium, including AceOn Group, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Engas Global, Newcastle University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Liverpool, Taurus Engineering, and CAGE Technologies.

Mark Thompson, CEO of AceOn Group, said, “AceOn was proud to lead a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of maritime innovation. This project is a testament to the UK’s potential in clean maritime technology — creating jobs, supporting exports, and proving that British innovation can lead the world. Our experience with H₂ is just the beginning; we’re committed to turning bold ideas into globally competitive products.”

The project culminated in April 2025 with a landmark demonstration in the North Sea and River Tyne.

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and Chair of Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, boarded the vessel, calling it, “It was absolutely fantastic to step onboard one of the UK’s first H₂/battery powered retrofitted boat, which paves the way for marine developments across the world. Forward-thinking, innovative technology solutions, such as the RESTORE project, are transformative and can revolutionize the maritime industry. This boat and project represent the power of innovation in tackling global energy challenges, steering us toward a cleaner, greener future for marine.”

The Princess Royal — based near Blyth, just miles from EDF Renewables’ offshore wind farm — showcased unprecedented operational range using battery-electric propulsion supported by a H₂ generator, underscoring the potential for zero-emission marine operations.

This project was part of the CMDC3 and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC3 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program, a £206-MM initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonize the UK domestic maritime sector.