Generating electricity from wind plays a key role in achieving net zero. Yet the renewables industry – like all industries – is heavily reliant on diesel power. Prior Power Solutions is helping tackle the hidden diesel in offshore wind.

Hydrogen engines and fuel cell technology are still in infancy and not yet cost effective commercially. However, the Hydrogen-Diesel Introduction System, whilst not omitting diesel completely, provides a very cost effective and realistic option in the interim for mitigating carbon emissions – and diesel consumption providing a quick return on investment.

Diesel generators are vital to all industries. They simply cannot be matched for performance, reliability, or portability – nor are likely to be in the short to medium term. And they are everywhere. Offshore wind is no different.

For a start, getting the turbine, components and technicians to the offshore wind farm is dependent on diesel – for propulsion, power and lifting on installation and support vessels.

Offshore, substations require backup power to maintain critical systems. Backup power generated by diesel. Even wind turbines need diesel generators.

Onshore there is more – port operations use diesel-powered cranes and forklifts as well as temporary power. Cable-laying and onshore substations require an array of construction vehicles and machinery.

With over four decades under its belt repairing and maintaining diesel engines particularly for the marine and offshore sectors, Prior Power Solutions is tackling the hidden diesel in offshore wind through a simple, cost-effective retrofittable unit suitable for a wide range of diesel engines and generators.

Substantially lowering greenhouse gases, the Hydrogen-Diesel Introduction System effectively converts a standard combustion engine into a dual fuel engine. It is a stand-alone system that produces hydrogen gas from water by electrolysis, which is injected directly into the engine, reducing diesel consumption by up to 14%,

Independent testing has proven up to 80% less diesel particulate matter, 22% less nitrous oxides, 25% less carbon monoxide and 8% less carbon dioxide.

Producing hydrogen on demand from deionised water, no hydrogen is stored, and no other chemicals or acids are used in the process.

Although diesel technology will remain essential in the delivery of clean and affordable offshore wind power, emissions from necessary diesel-powered operations can be reduced for every application in the process, cutting fuel costs too.