Latent Drive Secures £630k Grant for Innovative Hydrogen Project
Deal News | Mar 31, 2025 | SETsquared
Latent Drive, a company specializing in green hydrogen technology, secured a £630k grant from Innovate UK's Launchpad South West Marine and Maritime competition. The grant will facilitate a demonstration trial for HydroPort, aimed at powering a harbor patrol vessel with green hydrogen directly derived from seawater, using Latent Drive's SeaStack technology. Supported by Dorset Council, Portland Port, Logan Energy, SALINE Business Services, and the University of Exeter, the trial explores SeaStack's market potential to decarbonize ports aligned with government targets and public demand for renewable energy solutions. As a member of SETsquared's Hydrogen & Sustainable Transport Economy Accelerator, Latent Drive has also launched a £2.25 million investment round, leveraging their collaborations for future growth. The Dorset coast is recognized for its renewable energy potential, with projects like the PortWind agreement with Source Galileo to augment offshore wind capacity. Latent Drive's SeaStack aims to produce affordable green hydrogen without expensive desalination processes, supporting the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Sectors
- Renewable Energy
- Maritime
- Technology
Geography
- United Kingdom – The activities discussed in the article are based in the UK, specifically involving UK stakeholders such as Dorset Council.
Industry
- Renewable Energy – Latent Drive's SeaStack technology focuses on producing green hydrogen from renewable sources, a key aspect of the renewable energy sector.
- Maritime – The project involves decarbonizing ports and maritime operations, which is central to the business's activity.
- Technology – Latent Drive's innovative SeaStack electrolyser represents advancement in technology for sustainable energy production.
Financials
- £630,000 – Grant provided by Innovate UK for the HydroPort demonstration trial.
- £2.25 million – Planned investment round launched by Latent Drive.
- £2.5 million – Total of previous government-backed grants received by Latent Drive.
- £500,000 – Part of previous grants from the Net Zero Technology Centre.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latent Drive | Target Company | Companies | Developer of SeaStack technology, aimed at producing green hydrogen from seawater. |
| Innovate UK | Funding Organization | Government | Provides the grant for innovative projects in the UK. |
| SETsquared | Supporting Organization | Companies | Provided support and introductions to Latent Drive through their Hydrogen & Sustainable Transport Economy Accelerator. |
| Dorset Council | Supporting Organization | Government | Supporter of the HydroPort trials conducted by Latent Drive. |
| Portland Port | Hosting Location | Companies | Location hosting the HydroPort trials. |
| Logan Energy | Collaborator | Companies | A collaborating party in the HydroPort trials. |
| SALINE Business Services | Collaborator | Companies | A collaborating party in the HydroPort trials. |
| University of Exeter | Academic Partner | Companies | Provided academic support for the HydroPort trials. |
| University of Bath | Academic Support | Companies | Provided support through its GW-SHIFT programme. |