Fuel Cell Systems News

Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technologies, inaugurated a new production line dedicated to the development and testing of hydrogen fuel cell systems at its Bari shipyard.The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nicola Bonasia, Mayor of Modugno; Antonio Decaro, President of the European Parliament's Environmental Protection Commission; representatives of the President of the Puglia Region; the Mayor of Bari; and the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy.

This past month Maritime Reporter TV has taken a close look at two hydrogen fuel cell projects: the new research vessel planned for Scripps Institution of Oceanography and e1 Marine’s methanol-to-hydrogen technology which is being adopted by STAX Engineering for its emissions capture barges.The Scripps California Coastal Research Vessel will feature a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system that will allow it to operate with no greenhouse gas or other emissions for 75% of its missions – and for all of its time operating in state waters.

German shipyard Meyer Werft has launched the zero4cruise project with project partners including Freudenberg e-Power Systems and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).The project aims to develop climate-friendly and low emission energy systems for cruise ships, focusing on fuel cell technology powered by green methanol.The hybrid energy system will combine PEM fuel cells with a methanol reformer and battery systems to optimize efficiency and ensure ships can operate carbon-neutral…

In an article by Rhonda Moniz published this week on MarineLink, Siemens sales executive Ed Schwarz noted the flexibility provided by an electric distribution “backbone” that enables ferry operators to add more batteries, switch to new fuels or become 100% emission free with fuel cells.A string of deliveries reported this week demonstrate that steps are being taken along this pathway for a range of vessels:The hull of Lithuania’s first green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship was launched by the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

Sweden-based PowerCell Group announced it has signed one of the world’s largest orders of marine fuel cell systems to date with a Italian marine OEM manufacturer. The order value is approximately SEK 165 million (US$16.3 million) and the deliveries will begin in the middle of 2025 and be completed by the end of the year.The order is in three parts and consists of 56 units of the Marine System 225 in total where the majority will be installed on commercial cruise ships. The fuel cell systems will provide auxiliary power to a ship’s internal electricity systems, totaling more than 6.3 MW.

Power solutions companies Yanmar and Amogy are teaming up to explore ammonia-to-hydrogen integration for decarbonized power generation aboard marine vessels.The companies on Thursday announced they have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to integrate Amogy’s advanced ammonia-cracking technology into Yanmar’s hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE). The partners have been exploring opportunities to integrate their technologies since 2023 when Yanmar’s corporate venture capital arm…

Sydrogen Energy Pte. Ltd. (Sydrogen), a Singapore-based fuel cell components and systems company, announced its entry into the maritime market with a 250 kW fuel cell power module. Developed in a collaboration signed with Shanghai Hydrogen Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd. (SHPT), this system aims to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technology in the shipping industry, supporting Singapore's maritime decarbonization goals."Through a slew of initiatives both on shore, and at sea…

There are more than 4,000 harbor craft vessels in the U.S. deemed highly suited for zero-emissions operations, according to a recent report produced by CALSTART in partnership with Intelatus Global Partners.The report - “Sizing the U.S. and California Harbor Craft Market” - looked at the U.S. commercial harbor craft and inland and nearshore vessels above 600 kilowatts (kW) or 805 brake horsepower. Approximately 10,000 vessels were counted in total, including crew and supply boats…

KR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hanwha Ocean, Amogy, and Hanwha Aerospace at Posidonia 2024 for the technical collaboration and certification of ammonia reformers and ammonia fuel cell systems on ships.The ammonia reformers, used to produce gas with hydrogen as the main component and supply it to fuel cell stacks, are essential equipment for the adoption of fuel cell systems, says KR.The MoU encompasses design, development, testing, and certification of ammonia reformers and fuel cell systems.

Corvus Energy on Monday announced it has been awarded funding through the EU's Horizon Europe Framework Program for the integration of ammonia cracker technology with its Pelican Fuel Cell system.The project, titled “APOLO”, is a collaboration between several partners and aims to solve the challenges of power conversion from ammonia and develop an efficient and flexible ammonia cracking technology for the maritime sector.The four-year program, which started January 1, 2024, will…

Corvus Energy, a Norway-based provider of battery energy storage solutions and fuel cell systems for maritime, offshore and port applications, has appointed Fredrik Witte as the new CEO, starting January 1, 2024. Until Witte starts, CFO Mette Rokne Hanestad will serve as the Interim CEO.Witte joins from his position as the Managing Director of Cargill Aqua Nutrition. Commenting on the new appointment, Chairman of the Board, Mikael  Mäkinen, said: "Corvus Energy is entering an…

Corvus Energy, a Norway-based provider of battery energy storage solutions and fuel cell systems for the marine sector, has been awarded a Type Approval from DNV for its Cyber Security Notation on the Control and Monitoring System of Corvus Energy's Orca Energy Storage System (ESS).The Type Approval certificate signifies that Corvus Energy's control and monitoring system, along with its data collection through Lighthouse, has successfully met all the stringent safety, quality…

Australian company Sprintex has supplied a critical component to the US$15 billion EU Sustainable Hydrogen-Powered Shipping Project (sHYpS), involving 13 partner companies in six countries, which will convert six cruise ships to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.Each vessel will be equipped with around 100MW of electrical power, derived from modular hydrogen fuel cells. Sprintex has delivered high-speed electric compressors which are essential for the overall efficiency and performance of the fuel cell systems…

SEA-KIT International has won funding from the U.K.'s Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition to design and manufacture a hydrogen-fueled uncrewed surface vessel (USV). The company will partner with maritime decarbonization disruptor, Marine2o, for the build of land-based infrastructure to produce green hydrogen, via renewable energy and the electrolysis of water, as part of the project.Dubbed ZEPHR - Zero Emissions Ports Hydrogen Refilling Survey Vessel, the project aims to extend vessel operation for port operators and stakeholders through complete energy transferal…

Corvus Energy has launched its inherently gas-safe marine fuel cell product, the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System.The system is the result of the H2NOR research project that started in 2021. H2NOR was initiated by Corvus Energy, Toyota and other partners to fast-track the development and production of sustainable and scalable Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems.Corvus says the result of the two-year development is the safest marine fuel cell system to date. Using the well-proven fuel cell technology from Toyota…

Classification society RINA announced it is partnering with ABB to develop new concepts to reduce emissions in shipping for various vessel types.Under a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), the partners will aim to develop commercially viable solutions, including fuel cell systems with carbon capture, to move the shipping industry forward with decarbonization. The agreement also focuses on promoting the use of hydrogen, and the introduction of modern approaches to ship propulsion.ABB will focus on the development of suitable solutions based on latest technologies…

Norway-based Alma Clean Power announced its design of a 1 MW ammonia fueled marine solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system received approval in principle (AIP) from classification society DNV.The SOFC system design has been evaluated for compliance with DNV class rules and IMO guidelines for fuel cell installations. The AIP is granted for a containerized module that includes safety systems to handle ammonia as fuel.“We’re excited that our design has received approval according to the highest standards in the maritime industry.

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri announced it has delivered the first vessel for luxury cruise operator Viking equipped with an emissions reducing hydrogen fuel cell system.Identical to Viking’s other ocean ships, the 47,800 ton Viking Neptune is fitted with a small hydrogen fuel system, making it the cruise industry’s first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for on board operations. “We are especially proud to welcome this newest sister ship to our ocean fleet, as it also marks a significant advancement in testing hydrogen as a future fuel for our vessels…

Maritime battery and fuel-cell systems company Echandia said it has appointed Fredrik Hellström as itsnew CEO.Hellström joined Echandia as Deputy CEO in 2021. He has more than 10 years’ experience from leadership in naval design and large-scale project management, and he holds a PhD in Fluid Mechanics and a MSc in Naval Architecture.“I feel honored to be appointed as CEO of the company Magnus Eriksson founded and successfully led for many years. Echandia today has a world leading position in the development of advanced battery and fuel-cell systems for maritime and industrial applications.

Corvus Energy, a producer of battery systems for the ocean space, opened a new test area for hydrogen fuel cells at its production site in Bergen, Norway.As part of the H2NOR project, Corvus is working toward the development and production of sustainable, large-scale maritime-certified hydrogen fuel cell systems, with Toyota on board as key partner and supplier of mass-produced fuel cell technology.In March the project received Approval in Principle (AiP) by DNV and the test area is an important part of the prototype testing and validation.

ABB is launching a new solid state circuit breaker to enable the next generation of safe, energy-efficient direct current (DC) power systems. DC power distribution is at the forefront of strategies to make shipping and marine vessels more sustainable and energy efficient – the SACE Infinitus circuit breaker makes it simpler to integrate, protect and control these new DC network architectures for ships of all types and sizes.DC power systems improve fuel efficiency by up to 20 per cent.

Echandia, a developer of energy solutions for maritime electrification, has entered into an agreement to deepen its collaboration with Toshiba. The partnership agreement will focus on the development of fuel-cell technology combined with batteries to accelerate electrification of the maritime sector.The two companies have a long history of collaboration. Historically, Echandia has built its Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) based battery systems based on the Toshiba rechargeable LTO battery cell SCiBTM.As demand for electrification of deep-sea and larger vessels builds up…

An innovative ferry design from Sweden-based Green City Ferries, the Beluga24 comes with two emission-free options: battery electric for short journeys and hydrogen fuel cell for long ones. Designed as a multipurpose solution for public transportation with space for 147 passengers and 28 bicycles, it will be built in light-weight carbon fiber and with a foil-assisted hull."The key to build an emission-free passenger ferry is to combine light-weight hull technologies, energy efficient design and a propulsion system that is both highly effective and light weight.