Unlocking Cleaner, More Reliable Shoreside Power with Methanol-to-Hydrogen Generation

By Dave Lee, Executive Director, e1 Marine 

The U.S. maritime sector is under growing pressure to reduce emissions in ports. State-level regulations are tightening. Public awareness of environmental impacts is increasing, and coastal communities - home to millions affected by air pollution - are demanding cleaner, more sustainable solutions.  

Furthermore, regulatory measures like the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) At-Berth Regulation and the European Commission’s Green Deal signal a global commitment to port decarbonization. Yet, achieving this transition remains a logistical, financial, and technical challenge. 

The limitations of traditional shoreside power 

Cold ironing - a process where ships connect to the local electrical grid while docked - has been promoted as a solution to cut emissions. Although this approach is effective in theory, many U.S. ports lack the necessary electrical capacity or face grid reliability issues.  

Additionally, installation costs and business case concerns limit adoption. The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has identified infrastructure costs and insufficient grid capacity as major barriers. Even where shore power is available, the cost of plugging in remains too high for many ship operators.  

Traditional shoreside power alone cannot meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. An alternative is needed - one that is scalable, cost-effective, and immediately deployable. 

A new approach: methanol-to-hydrogen for shoreside power 

At e1 Marine, we believe in finding pragmatic solutions that address today’s challenges while laying the groundwork for a cleaner future. Methanol-to-hydrogen power generation offers ports a flexible, resilient alternative to diesel-powered auxiliary engines without requiring extensive grid upgrades.  

This solution offers a highly effective way to deliver shore power for hotel loads on vessels up to 2,000 GT and facilitates in-port applications such as hybrid cranes and drayage equipment. By deploying e1 Marine’s modular, containerized power systems, ports can reduce grid strain and ensure that their available electrical capacity meets the demand for megawatt shore power, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.  

Methanol serves as an efficient hydrogen carrier, addressing storage and transport challenges that have slowed hydrogen adoption. Instead of relying on external hydrogen supplies, e1 Marine’s system generates fuel-cell-grade hydrogen on demand, reducing the need for high-pressure storage and costly distribution networks. 

With methanol available at over 125 ports worldwide, e1 Marine’s on-site hydrogen generation system produces clean hydrogen with only water vapor and heat as byproducts. Compared to diesel engines, this process cuts EPA-regulated emissions by 99%, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO), dramatically improving air quality in ports.  

Depending on the feedstock, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by 10-27% with grey methanol, 50% with a green/grey blend, and up to 85% with green methanol. 

Regulatory engagement and standardization  

As with many emerging technologies, new standards must evolve alongside innovation. Significant advances have been made, but it is still a work in progress. For example, over the past 18 months, e1 Marine has worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop a regulatory framework for vessels using methanol reforming technology with fuel cells and batteries. This led to the approval of a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) - a crucial milestone for integrating methanol-to-hydrogen technology into commercial operations. 

e1 Marine is also collaborating with class societies to develop and then meet safety and performance standards. Essentially innovators are working with stakeholders to write new frameworks to help create the future scalability of solutions.   

However, a key barrier to adoption remains the lack of uniform standards for system integration. Shore power solutions must align with regional regulatory differences, voltage requirements, and operational demands. e1 Marine’s modular, scalable system is designed to be utilized across various vessel types and port conditions, offering a practical, adaptable approach while broader power-systems infrastructure is still in development across ports. 

Driving the transition  

At e1 Marine, we’re not just discussing solutions, we’re implementing them. Our partnership with STAX Engineering, funded by CARB and South Coast AQMD, exemplifies how collaboration can drive meaningful change. This project involves integrating methanol-to-hydrogen technology with STAX’s emissions capture and control systems, providing a model for ports seeking new ways to power operations and reduce emissions. 

This shift is about more than compliance. Ports need power solutions that are sustainable, resilient to fluctuating grid capacity, and adaptable to extreme weather conditions. By enabling ports to deploy scalable, containerized power solutions without overhauling infrastructure, e1 Marine is driving the transition to cleaner shoreside operations. 

The time to act is now. The operational jigsaw is taking shape, but progress depends on collaboration and rethinking traditional approaches to implementing innovations. By working together, ports, regulators, and industry stakeholders can build a smarter, more sustainable maritime future, one where ports lead the way in cleaner operations.