Exolum has launched a world-first demonstration of green hydrogen transport and storage at the UK’s largest freight port, Immingham, using existing oil infrastructure.
This groundbreaking initiative employs liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) to store and transport hydrogen safely and efficiently.
The project, supported by £505,000 from the UK government’s Hydrogen Storage and Distribution Supply Chain Collaborative R&D programme, involves transporting 20 tonnes of hydrogen via a 1.5km pipeline between Exolum’s Immingham East and West facilities. Laboratory tests will ensure LOHC quality during transport, and a scientific study on the costs and benefits of the technology will be published in early 2025.
“This pioneering project proposes a realistic, safe, and cost-effective formula for distributing green hydrogen,” said Ignacio Casajús, Exolum’s Global Strategy & Growth Lead. By repurposing existing infrastructure, Exolum aims to accelerate the hydrogen market’s growth, bringing storage closer to high-demand areas such as ports and industrial zones. The company estimates its UK facilities could distribute 4.6 TWh of hydrogen annually, contributing to the UK government’s Clean Power Mission 2030.
Exolum, which has been operating in the UK since 2015, is also working on the Tees Valley Hydrogen Vehicle Ecosystem project, which includes building a hydrogen production plant and refuelling station in Stockton-on-Tees.
In addition to the Immingham project, Exolum recently launched H2ROAD, a business line dedicated to hydrogen logistics. H2ROAD offers integrated solutions across the hydrogen value chain, including infrastructure for production, transportation, and consumption. The initiative includes portable hydrogen stations and IT tools to optimise logistics, reinforcing Exolum’s position as a key player in the energy transition.
“These projects demonstrate our commitment to decarbonisation and the diversification of energy sources,” said the company.
