After assessment of the fuel cell system of Elding I, the whale-watching ship receives this hydrogen auxiliary power unit in addition to the regular diesel engine. Germanischer Lloyd certifies the fuel cell system and its integration according to the GL "Guidelines for Fuel Cell-Systems on board of ships and boats" (VI-3-11) ensuring the technical safety of fuel cell application. Today, the Elding I was inaugurated with a first test trip.
Germanischer Lloyd provided services regarding certification, plan approvals as well as consultancy on safety issues within the project. GL's experts implemented the necessary studies and research to certify the fuel cell system installed on board of "Elding I". The certification comprises the assessment of the safety system, machinery components, and electrical equipment, as well as pressure testing and explosion protection. The ship's Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) consists of a fuel cell operated by compressed hydrogen providing electricity for the ship operation.
The Elding I is well suited for whale watching. With its two viewing levels and the third deck, the boat allowes all passengers to watch the whales in their natural habitats. The intention is to shut down the main engine when the boat has met with whales out on sea and offer the guests to see and hear the animals and to allow an ever closer encounter with them. An experience, owner Vignir Sigursveinsson said, had been marred in the past by the rumble of a diesel auxiliary engine below. "When we have the hydrogen machine, the boat will be completely soundless, which will make it a great experience of seeing the whales in their natural habitat," said Sigursveinsson.
Elding I, originally built in as a rescue ship, is a 125-tonnage cruiser with a 150 passenger capacity. It is part of "SMART H2" project which is a demonstration project testing hydrogen fuelled vehicles and vessels. The project tests various types of hydrogen-fuelled equipment. SMART-H2 began in March 2007 and will extend until 2010.