What might a large-scale hydrogen bunkering station look like in practice? And how can we prepare for its safe and efficient operation already during the design phase?
To explore these questions, RISE and Uppsala University have teamed up within the BalticSeaH2 project to develop an extended reality (XR) environment that visualises a potential solution for hydrogen bunkering at the port of Visby, Sweden.
The concept is based on a compressed hydrogen bunkering station designed for Gotlandsbolaget’s upcoming hydrogen-powered ferry, Gotland Horizon X. As one of the largest compressed hydrogen applications in the maritime sector, the vessel represents a global first and there are currently no comparable hydrogen bunkering stations in operation.
A case for the BalticSeaH2 Valley
This initiative is part of the BalticSeaH2 Valley use cases, which serve to demonstrate how hydrogen can be integrated across different sectors and contexts around the Baltic Sea. The Visby case illustrates what it takes to make large-scale maritime hydrogen use possible and provides valuable lessons for other ports and operators in the region.
By creating an immersive XR environment, the project team can:
- Illustrate the technical design of a realistic bunkering solution
- Ensure the design fits the actual port environment in Visby
- Support the risk assessment process by enabling realistic safety analyses
- Facilitate dialogue between stakeholders including shipping companies, ports, regulators and technology developers
Beyond Visby – a model for the Baltic Sea
While the case is rooted in Gotland, its significance extends across the Baltic Sea region. As hydrogen-powered shipping scales up, ports will need feasible, safe and replicable bunkering solutions. The Visby XR model contributes to this by acting as both a testbed and a benchmark for future hydrogen bunkering concepts in other locations.
This work underscores a central aim of the BalticSeaH2 project: to turn pioneering hydrogen applications into shared knowledge and replicable solutions that accelerate the hydrogen transition throughout the region.
🔗 Learn more about the vessel:
Gotland Horizon X – Gotlandsbolaget