A farm in Scottish Highlights will soon be producing and using its own green hydrogen as part of a demonstration project hoped to improve the self-reliance of farming communities.
Farming researcher, the James Hutton Institute, has selected Green Cat Contracting to construct the HydroGlen project at its Glensaugh research farm near Fettercairn in Aberdeenshire.
The project plans to establish a hybrid battery and hydrogen microgrid, using on-site renewables to produce hydrogen which could be used directly in vehicles or in a fuel cell to charge EVs.
H2 View understands the project plans to install its own water treatment to allow tap water to be electrolysed.
Awarded £6.2m ($7.9m) for the project from the Scottish Government in 2022, Hutton says the trial could show how farming communities could become self-reliant green hydrogen producers, capable of meeting all their energy requirements.
According to the institute, northeast Scotland communities have been left without power for days in recent years, further underscoring the need for more self-reliant energy solutions.
Intended to influence policy change, increase the number of hydrogen projects and provide jobs, HydroGlen Development Officer, Niamh Carr, said the demonstration was “driving innovation for a more sustainable future.”
Due to be completed by the end of 2025, Green Cat Chief Executive, Gavin Catto, added, “Our expertise in renewable energy, green hydrogen and complex system integration makes this a perfect project for us – one that we look forward to delivering over the course of the next year.”
