A Stornoway fishing boat that installed hydrogen technology reports fuel savings and significant carbon emissions reductions in its first month of operation.
After receiving grant support, Skipper Finlay Macdonald installed an Ecomotus unit on his boat, Challenger (SY 174).
Three other applicants also successfully applied and received funding for the technology.
The Stornoway fishing boat reported promising results in a case study by the Outer Hebrides Community-Led Local Development Programme.
Said Finlay: “We have been using the Ecomotus EcoPro system for one month now, and the signs are really encouraging.
"We are using less fuel and have reduced our carbon emissions significantly. This is a win-win situation for us. Not only are we improving profitability, but we are also reducing our business’s carbon footprint at source.”
The grant scheme, which paid out almost £30,000, was designed to provide up to 75% of the capital costs associated with installing an Ecomotus Catalytic Hydrogen Fuel and Emission Reduction System on a range of vehicles and vessels.
According to Outer Hebrides Community-Led Local Development Programme, the innovative technology is credited with significant reductions in CO2 emissions and can reduce fuel usage as well as extend engine life.