Bacton Energy Hub Hydrogen Supply SIG

Technology review for seawater desalination to provide the water feedstock for green and blue hydrogen production

The NSTA recognises that Bacton has the potential to establish itself as a low carbon hydrogen hub. This would ensure Bacton remains a key regional energy hub, leveraging existing infrastructure and resource in the region to ensure its low carbon future.

To further understand what a low carbon future for Bacton will look like, the NSTA established five Special Interest Groups (SIGs): Hydrogen Demand, Hydrogen Supply, Infrastructure, Regulatory and Supply Chain and Technology. Through a collaborative industry approach, they have been working to help demonstrate that a credible project exists and to catalyse the formation of a consortium that will develop and execute a Bacton Energy Plan.

Goal7, on behalf of Neptune Energy for the Bacton Energy Hub (BEH) Hydrogen Supply SIG carried out a technology review for seawater desalination to provide the water feedstock for green and blue hydrogen production, for BEH core and build out scenarios. An initial screening (based on suitability for site, scale, technology readiness level (TRL) and water quality required for electrolysis) identified four suitable technologies:

Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO)
Multistage Flash (MSF) Distillation
Multi Effect Distillation (MED)
MED with Thermal Vapour Compression (MED-TVC).

A detailed review of each technology was undertaken to identify the most suitable technology to take forward, consisting of process description, utility requirements, consumables, maintenance requirements, energy efficiency and qualitative techno-economic assessment.