Décarboner l’industrie maritime
« Décarboner l’industrie maritime »
Hugo Azin et Clémence Tissot partagent leur expérience de participation au Concours Étudiants qui s’est tenu sur HMS Protector en juin 2022.
Au début de cette année, le Consulat général britannique à Montréal a invité des équipes universitaires du Québec à participer à un concours de trois mois afin de trouver la meilleure solution étudiante pour décarboner l’industrie maritime avec l’hydrogène.
Le concours a permis aux étudiants de développer leurs compétences et leur expertise dans le secteur des carburants à base d’hydrogène et de fournir des solutions transformationnelles à un problème mondial complexe.
Le 10 juin, les équipes finalistes ont été invités à bord du HMS Protector pour présenter leurs projets à un comité d’évaluation. Le comité comprenait les membres suivants : Marie Lapointe (Hydrogène Québec), Pierre Bénard (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières), Kathy Baig (Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec) et la capitaine M K Ingham (HMS PROTECTOR).
Après de longues délibérations, les panelistes ont annoncé l’équipe de l’Université McGill comme gagnante du Concours étudiant 2022. Plus tard cette année, ils se rendront au Royaume-Uni dans le cadre de leur prix.
L’équipe en deuxième rang a eu l’opportunité, de passer la journée à bord du HMS Protector alors qu’il se rendait de Montréal à Québec. Ils partagent leur expérience dans le blogue ci-dessous.
Concours étudiant
Dans le cadre du concours étudiant du consulat de Grande Bretagne à Montréal : « Décarboner l’industrie maritime », nous avons proposé une solution innovante pour décarboner le brise-glace HMS Protector, un navire de recherche scientifique britannique. Notre solution consiste au remplacement
des moteurs fonctionnant au diesel par des piles à combustible fonctionnant à l’hydrogène. Cependant l’hydrogène ne permet pas au navire d’avoir autant d’autonomie qu’avec du diesel pour un même volume de stockage. Pour surmonter cette contrainte, nous avons donc proposé d’ajouter des panneaux solaires ainsi qu’une voile de kit surf pour non seulement produire de l’hydrogène directement sur le bateau lorsque les panneaux solaires fonctionnent mais également aider à la traction du bateau, réduisant ainsi, la consommation d’hydrogène.
Au cours de cette étude, nous nous sommes rendus compte que pour décarboner efficacement l’industrie maritime il sera nécessaire de repenser notre façon de concevoir les navires mais aussi tout notre modèle de société. Décarboner nos activités passera aussi et surtout par moins consommer.
De Montréal à Québec
A la suite de notre présentation, nous avons eu la chance d’être invité à rejoindre l’équipe du HMS Protector pour naviguer plus de 10h sur le Saint Laurent de Montréal vers Québec. Nous avons pu rejoindre le navire vers 7h30 du matin et suivre le briefing avec l’ensemble des officiers, du commandant et de la capitaine. Lorsque nous avons quitté le port, nous étions dans la salle de commande du navire, nous avons pu profiter de la vue sur Montréal et nous rendre compte de l’expertise nécessaire pour maitriser un navire aussi grand. Tout au long de la journée, nous avons pu découvrir le rôle des différents membres de l’équipage. Nous avons notamment pu visiter la section ingénierie du bateau, située dans le fond du bateau. Elle est composée d’un système de commande, de moteurs et autres machines, permettant d’alimenter le bateau en énergie, que ce soit en électricité ou en chaleur.
Avec le voyage sur le navire, notre journée à bord et notre arrivée sur le port de Québec, nous avons pu faire la connaissance de nombreux marins, qui nous ont partagé leur quotidien, et montré leur passion pour leur travail au sein de la Royal Army. Un grand merci à eux, et à l’ambassade pour cette expérience inoubliable !
Clémence Tissot
Clémence réalise son stage de fin d’étude à l’IREQ en partenariat avec l’UCAQ afin de valider son double diplôme en génie électrique à Heriot Watt en Ecosse et à l’ENSEM en France. Elle a réalisé plusieurs expériences dans le domaine du génie électrique et des énergies renouvelables, chez EDF en France ou encore dans l’équipe de recherche NEI dans le Yukon, qui cherchait à intégrer une plus grande part d’énergies renouvelables dans les réseaux isolés du nord du Canada. Aujourd’hui, Elle travaille sur l’optimisation des modèles mathématiques des appareils électriques haute tension au centre de recherche d’HydroQuébec et rejoindra bientôt les équipes de RTE en France.
Hugo Azin
Hugo est étudiant à l’ÉTS, en double diplôme avec son école d’ingénieur en France, l’ENSEM, une école spécialisée dans l’énergie. Actuellement, il est en maîtrise énergies renouvelables et trouve du sens dans son travail, en agissant pour accélérer la transition énergétique. Il a déjà réalisé plusieurs projets dans ce domaine comme la création d’un méthaniseur, un plan d’installation de bornes de recharges pour voitures électriques ou encore l’élaboration de stratégies énergétiques dans le cabinet de conseil Greenflex à Paris. Aujourd’hui il travaille sur son mémoire de recherche en lien avec la décarbonation de l’industrie minière à l’aide de l’hydrogène vert.
Greening the Maritime Industry with Hydrogen
Greening the Maritime Industry with Hydrogen
Hugo Azin and Clémence Tissot share their experience participating in the Student Competition held on HMS Protector in June 2022.
Earlier this year, the British Consulate in Montreal invited university teams from Quebec to participate in a three-month competition to find the best student-developed solution to greening the shipping industry with hydrogen.
The competition gave students the opportunity to develop their skills and expertise in hydrogen-based fuels and provide transformational solutions for a complex global issue.
On 10 June, finalists were invited aboard HMS Protector to pitch their concepts to a panel of judges. This panel included Marie Lapointe (Hydrogène Québec), Pierre Bénard (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières), Kathy Baig (Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec) and Captain M K Ingham (HMS PROTECTOR).
After much deliberation, judges named the team from McGill University winners of the 2022 Student Competition. Later this year, they will head to the UK as part of their prize.
The runners up were granted the opportunity to spend the day aboard HMS Protector as she travelled from Montreal to Quebec City. They share their experience in the blog below.
THE COMPETITION
As part of the British Consulate’s 2022 Student Competition “Greening the Maritime Industry with Hydrogen”, we proposed an innovative solution to decarbonise HMS Protector. Our idea was to replace its diesel engines with hydrogen fuel cells. We recognize that hydrogen would not provide the ship with as much autonomy as diesel for the same storage volume. To overcome this constraint, we therefore proposed to increase hydrogen production aboard using solar panels while a giant surf sail kite in order to help with the ship’s mechanical traction while reducing the consumption of hydrogen.
During the course of this competition, we realized that in order to effectively decarbonise the maritime industry, we would not only have to rethink the way we design ships but also how we exist in society. Above all, decarbonising activities involve consuming less as a whole.
MONTREAL TO QUEBEC CITY ON HMS PROTECTOR
Following our presentation, we were invited to join HMS Protector for her journey on the St Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec City. We boarded the ship in the early hours of the morning, heading straight to the bridge where we were able listen to the Captain’s brief. From the bridge, we saw great views of Montreal as we departed and an inside look at the expertise needed to operate such a large ship.
Throughout the day, we had the opportunity to learn about different crewmembers and their roles. Most interesting to us was a visit to the engineering and machinery rooms of the ship. The rooms consisted of a control system, engines and other machines, which supply the boat with energy (either electricity or heat).
It was a pleasure to spend a day aboard HMS Protector learning about the ship and the British Royal Navy. Many thanks to the Captain and crew, and to the British High Commission for this unforgettable experience!
Clémence Tissot
Clémence is doing her end-of-study internship at Hydro-Quebec’s Research Centre (IREQ) in partnership with the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in order to validate her double degree in electrical engineering at Heriot Watt in Scotland and ENSEM in France. She has carried out several projects in the field of electrical engineering and renewable energies, including with EDF in France and with Northern Energy Innovation research team in Yukon, where she sought to integrate a greater share of renewable energies into the grid in isolated networks of northern Canada. Today, she works on optimization of mathematical models of high-voltage electrical devices at IREQ and will soon join the RTE team in France.
Hugo Azin
Hugo is a student at ÉTS Montreal, doing a double degree with his engineering school in France, ENSEM, a school specialised in energy. He is currently doing a master’s degree in renewable energies and finds meaning in his work, acting to accelerate the energy transition. He has already carried out several projects in this field, such as the creation of a methanizer, a plan to install charging stations for electric cars and a project to charging stations for electric cars or the development of energy strategies in the consulting firm Greenflex in Paris. He is currently working on his research paper on the decarbonisation of the mining industry using green hydrogen.
Protector in Halifax
Protector in Halifax
We've reached the final stop of our #ProtectorInCanada Tour.
After stops in Montreal, Quebec City and Sydney, HMS Protector reached the final stop of her tour: Halifax.
We share some of our favourite moments from #ProtectorInHalifax below:
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP PANEL
DID YOU KNOW?
Captain Milly is the first female captain to command one of the Navy’s ships.
For this reason, it was only fitting we host a ‘Women in Leadership Panel’ aboard HMS Protector.
Local industry leaders and crew from HMS Protector and HMCS Margaret Brooke were invited to ask panellists about their experience as women in the fields of defence and diplomacy.
High Commissioner Susannah Goshko moderated the discussion as Captain Milly, Captain Nicole Robichaud (Royal Canadian Navy Commander) and Captain Lara Barrett (Canada Coast Guard) shared their inspiring insights.
VIP RECEPTION
The rain and clouds cleared just in time for another VIP Reception (all too similar to our experience in Montreal). Local government officials, members of the Canadian armed forces and several local partners joined us on board for great conversation and more delicious food and drink. The Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Martin Connell CBE was present as well.
Huge thank you to Ultra and QinetiQ for sponsoring the reception – two British-based defence companies that have established strong roots in Nova Scotia.
CAPTAIN FOR A DAY
On 30 June, HMS Protector welcomed a new Commanding Officer on board: 13-year-old Captain Brynn Forness from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – the winner of our Captain for a Day competition!
Captain Brynn and her family enjoyed a full day of activities aboard the ship. See what Captain Brynn got up to in the video.
ROYAL NOVA SCOTIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO
We were thrilled to receive a special invitation to attend the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax. From drums and pipes to ‘Flying Grandpas’, it was an incredible performance and a huge honour to have ‘Captain’ Brynn, Captain Milly and Brigadier Doug Gibson take the salute at the end of the show.
APPRECIATION BBQ
On Canada Day we treated Captain Milly and her crew, along with some of our Canadian partners, to a good ol’ fashioned BBQ – a small token of our appreciation for the hard work put into the Protector In Canada Tour.
Over the last 3 weeks, the crew of HMS Protector has been nothing short of amazing. We are so grateful for all they have done.
Special thanks to Chef Jarrah for the wonderful meal.
THANK YOU
As we wrap up the #ProtectorInCanada tour, we want to wish HMS Protector a safe journey onto her next adventure and say thank you.
Thank you to everyone involved with the tour: Captain Milly and her crew, our friends at Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy, our sponsors (Rolls Royce, Britishvolt, QinteQ and Ultra) and to the amazing cities and towns who warmly welcomed HMS Protector to their ports.
The last several weeks have been incredible!
Protector in Sydney
Protector in Sydney
From Quebec to Nova Scotia. First stop, Sydney.
HMS Protector arrived in Sydney, Nova Scotia on Tuesday, 21 June after a 3-day journey down the St. Lawrence and into the Atlantic Ocean.
Before departing Quebec City, Ottawa based multidisciplinary artist Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona hopped on board the ship to assume her role as Artist in Residence.
Gayle is known for her intimate block prints and ceramics with striking graphics exploring imagery inspired by Inuit community, stories, and culture. She was commissioned by the British High Commission to create a few pieces inspired by HMS Protector as the ship tours Canada.
We’ll be sharing more about our Artist in Residence in a later blog. For now, check out the piece Gayle created as a thank you to the Captain and her crew. We love the story behind it.
AN MOU IN ACTION
The stop in Sydney was a special one. It allowed us to see the 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Royal Navy and Canadian Coast Guard in action.
About the MOU
The MOU follows an initiative in early 2020 that saw watch keeping officers from HMS Protector gain valuable experience in ice operations aboard a Canadian Coast Guard vessel. It is a collaborative agreement in which mariners from both countries agree to coordinate on operational training and navigational expertise through the icy waters of the Arctic.
Joint Training
Royal Navy and Canadian Coast Guard crew took part in joint operational training on 22 June at the Canadian Coast Guard College. This is the first time that mariners from both countries have taken part in engagement and training exercises aimed at preparing crews to navigate Canada’s waters.
Crew from HMS Protector took part in interactive sessions using the College’s state-of-the-art training simulators. This included a marine navigation simulator that provides crew with training on safe navigation and icebreaking manoeuvres.
Afterwards, students from the Canadian Coast Guard College headed to the Port of Sydney for a tour of HMS Protector. The students learned about the ice patrol ship, her capabilities and the many technologies on board.
SOME FUN
Captain Milly and her crew were treated to a BBQ and friendly football (aka soccer) game with members from the Canadian Coast Guard College.
A couple of nights prior, HMS Protector welcomed officials from the Canadian Coast Guard and its college aboard the ship with another special reception.
On to the final stop…
After a great time spent with the Canadian Coast Guard in Sydney, HMS Protector departed for her final Canadian stop.
Check out our next blog to learn about the ship’s visit in Halifax.