PlusZero is a Harris-based clean power start-up which is decarbonising the events sector by replacing greenhouse gas-emitting diesel generators with zero-carbon alternatives. The technology is powered by green hydrogen from renewable electricity generated in the Outer Hebrides. By unlocking the full promise of renewable energy, PlusZero uses surplus electricity produced by local renewable wind power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using a process called electrolysis. “Their Green Hydrogen provides a near limitless, carbon-zero, pollution-free source of fuel for the 21st century”. PlusZero uses Green Hydrogen to fuel their combustion engines, offering clean power wherever it is needed. “They are transforming the clean energy sector - the driver for economic growth worldwide”
In a major vote of confidence for the Western Isles’ green energy future, in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and UHI Outer Hebrides, PlusZero has recently secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Emerging Energies Technology Fund (EETF) to power up green hydrogen production at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Creed Park, Stornoway – creating new facilities for hands-on hydrogen technology training and next-generation electrolyzer research and field testing. Plans to transform the Western Isles into a world-leading hub for clean energy production are to take a leap forward with the support of a match-funded grant from the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Innovation Scheme’s Emerging Energy Technologies Fund, worth £1.129 million. The Outer Hebrides currently have 420MW of consented onshore wind farm developments that are unable to progress to construction due to a lack of off-take capacity. PlusZero’s electrolyzer will use surplus electricity produced by local onshore renewable power to produce green hydrogen, playing a key role in achieving the Scottish Government’s targets for delivering 5 gigawatts of hydrogen production by 2030. Uisdean Robertson, Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure, said, “This is an exciting project that will allow further use of hydrogen as a fuel for heavy goods vehicles and buses and help the move away from fossil fuels to achieve zero emissions targets. As an island community, locally produced green hydrogen has the potential to be a net zero, sustainable vehicle fuel that is less impacted by global markets.” Heriot-Watt University has now created a new center for green hydrogen innovation and product development in collaboration with hydrogen technologies experts including PlusZero. The newly named ‘Hydrogen Works’ building will see the consortium collaborate across a range of hydrogen-related research and industry projects including clean-power generators, state-of-the-art refueling infrastructure, and cutting-edge energy systems for heavy industry. David Amos, Managing Director at PlusZero, said, “PlusZero Power’s unique offer is to deliver portable clean power wherever it is needed. In the two years since they launched, their innovative green hydrogen generator has already removed tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere… It’s abundantly clear that there is huge potential to bring this ready-to-go green hydrogen solution to many sectors. They are delighted that PlusZero Power will be headquartered within the Hydrogen Works building at Heriot-Watt University to build a generator fleet that can realize this potential. PlusZero is making hydrogen happen.”
PlusZero has brought together a highly experienced team to deliver on their strategic ambition, to achieve the rapid transition to the clean energy future that is essential for our planet. With expertise in hydrogen production & distribution, hydrogen engine design and retrofitting, finance, risk, international markets, partnership development & communications, their first production facility in the Western Isles is an exclusive Green Hydrogen Partner with Western Isles Council with the aim to scale this facility, with its unique blend of highly scalable onshore-offshore wind assets, to become a major source of the UK's Green Hydrogen Production. Working together with the public sector, community, and business partners in the Western Isles, PlusZero will secure direct community and environmental benefits - above all, clean energy. This is a community-based solution with a global footprint and it is a model that shapes the company’s values and goals, wherever they work. Already developing an innovative, flexible, and modular product range of Green Hydrogen-fueled generators for use across diverse sectors, offering between 50 to 500kVA output, PlusZero will for the second year provide green hydrogen to significantly power HebCelt Festival this July, thanks to funding from EventScotland’s National Events Programme. During the three days of performances on the Islands Stage at last year’s festival, PlusZero’s innovative zero-carbon generator saved three tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere – the equivalent of 27 return car journeys from Edinburgh to Stornoway. For the duration of HebCelt 2023, alongside powering additional facilities including some catering space, they will be topping last year’s record-making carbon savings. Their generator range will meet the varied demand for portable power in the events, outdoor filming, construction, and industrial sectors, and they will be producing related products - battery hybrid modules, heat capture and transfer modules, self-propelled generators, and fuel-celled generators.
PlusZero can continue to scale up their carbon neutrality efforts by engaging more landowners and estates in their program. By encouraging broader participation and adoption of carbon offsetting measures, they can significantly contribute to Scotland's climate targets and accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon economy. PlusZero can work towards accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies across participating properties. This can involve providing financial incentives, technical support, and guidance to landowners to help them invest in renewable energy infrastructure. The benefits of this step would include reduced reliance on fossil fuels, lower emissions, and increased renewable energy capacity in Scottish land and estates. PlusZero can continue to explore and integrate emerging technologies into their initiatives. This includes leveraging advancements in remote sensing, data analytics, and precision farming techniques to optimize land management practices, improve resource efficiency, and minimize environmental impacts. By embracing innovation, PlusZero can enhance their effectiveness and stay at the forefront of climate change solutions.
Find out more about the finalists for the Helping it Happen Awards 2023