Globally, aquaculture is one of the fastest growing AgriFood sectors and is vital to sustaining a growing world population. Like all industries, it is not without environmental cost and can be heavily reliant on diesel-generated power.

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.

The UK’s aquaculture industry has grown over the last four decades with an annual production value in excess of £590 million. A valuable food for export, some 170,000 tonnes of salmon are produced on Scottish farms each year. With strong Government support, the Scottish aquaculture industry is set to continue growing.

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. Aquaculture is no different, especially where farms are too remote for electricity connections.

Whether that be for net cleaning or other fluid pumps, for aeration and filters, for propulsion or power of vessels, or for maintaining critical systems and oxygen monitoring, diesel engines and generators are utilised throughout the whole process of aquaculture and commercial fishing.

There are global and national drivers for the development of technology that will reduce environmental impact of aquaculture, with climate change, energy prices and government policy shaping the development of aquaculture for decades to come.

With over four decades under its belt repairing and maintaining diesel engines particularly for the marine, fishing and offshore sectors, Prior Power Solutions is supporting carbon-neutral aquaculture 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%,” says business development manager Daniel Peacock,

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 food production, including aquaculture and fishing, emissions from necessary diesel-powered operations can be reduced for every application in the process, cutting fuel costs too.

Daniel will be attending Aquaculture UK, Aviemore, Scotland 3-5 May 2022