Spanish deep tech innovator chose Bergen as launchpad for maritime hydrogen solutions

- I firmly believe that Bergen and Norway represent the fastest path for H2SITE to achieve commercial-scale adoption in the maritime sector, concludes Tomas Crespo. He is Maritime Business Development Manager and responsible for Norwegian operations.  

Efficient cracking technology is required to convert ammonia back to H2 at low cost making this future fuel competitive. With integrated onboard and onshore applications, Crespo and his team aim to position themselves as a frontrunner in the global hydrogen economy, with the maritime sector as a cornerstone of its decarbonization efforts.

Efficient cracking technology is required to convert ammonia back to H2 at low cost making this future fuel competitive. Learn more in this video.

Solving a critical challenge

Their patented technology includes a cracker that enables ships to produce high-purity hydrogen directly from ammonia, a sustainable energy carrier. Ammonia is widely recognized as a promising solution for transporting hydrogen from production hubs to demand centres due to its high energy density. However, converting ammonia back into hydrogen efficiently and at low cost has been a major hurdle.

H2SITE addresses this challenge with its integrated membrane reactor technology, delivering 99.97% pure hydrogen at optimal conditions for fuel cells. The operating temperature of the cracker is 425 ºC, and the conversion happens in one operation.

Tomas Crespo is Maritime Business Development Manager and responsible for Norwegian operations.  

- Our technology is supporting zero-emission propulsion and auxiliary power systems, paving the way for a cleaner maritime future. In average, the fact that we can offer the conversion in one step offers a 22 percent cost reduction due to efficiency and fuel flexibility, says Tomas Crespo.

Why Bergen?

Whan looking for locations for a Norwegian base, Crespo said Bergen stood out as the obvious strategic choice for H2SITE’s maritime ambitions.

- Norway offers an unparalleled environment for hydrogen and ammonia-based shipping solutions. The political ambitions and the mature ecosystem for hydrogen and ammonia shipping are vital for our success, says Crespo and adds:

- Bergen is Norway’s maritime capital. Here we find all players aligned with our target market; shipowners, designers, offshore operators, and tech suppliers, and we have proximity to key PSV and short-sea fleets for rapid pilot deployment and real-world feedback

Bergen is the gateway to the West Coast energy corridor, where offshore wind, hydrogen production, and maritime logistics converge. With a robust innovation ecosystem, Bergen was an obvious location when H2SITE was looking to expand. Photo: Charlotte Hartvigsen Lem. 

Support from public funding schemes

Another advantage is the strong public funding schemes and pilot project support. H2SITE has already executed more than 20 projects with 15 000 hours of proven operations and have expansive plans for further developments.

- The excellent connectivity to public support mechanisms, with active regional engagement from Innovation Norway, Enova, and maritime clusters that accelerate early-stage demonstrations were important factors when we made our decision to locate in Bergen, says Crespo. 

H2Site is currently preparing a new pilot project in Norway focused on demonstrating continuous onboard hydrogen production for PSV vessels operating along the Western Coast. The project aims to validate the company’s 2 MW ammonia-to-hydrogen system under real maritime conditions, in collaboration with regional shipowners and technology partners. Successful execution of this Norwegian pilot will be a cornerstone for scaling commercial deployment and establishing Norway as one of the first markets to adopt large-scale onboard cracking system.

Norway's hydrogen strategy