Zero-emission mandates and regulations are rapidly approaching reality for ship owners and operators around the world, in an industry that currently accounts for 3% of global GHG emissions. However, with over 90,000 ships in the world’s commercial fleet, “going green” is not an easy task.
To date, the pace of decarbonization has largely depended on new and emerging technologies, often involving long development time, proof of concept and pilot testing. Ballard’s FCwave fuel cell module is breaking new ground in this area. The module is the first in the world to receive Type Approval for marine applications, an industry certification that confirms FCwave complies with the stringent safety, functional, design, and documentation requirements required for global marine commercialization.
It is a significant step forward in accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-powered ships and larger vessels as the first commercially available solution, and it gives ship owners and operators confidence in fuel cells as the most viable, zero-emission technology.
Fuel cells taking center stage
The first fuel cells are already proving their worth at sea and in ports, with a number of smaller vessels and port handling equipment being powered by them. Norled’s MF Hydra – the world’s first liquid hydrogen-powered ferry – will feature FCwave before the end of 2022. The MF Hydra will be powered by two 200kW FCwave modules and will be the first zero-emission passenger experience on Norway’s world heritage fjords, as Norled launches the first zero-emission passenger experience on Norway’s world heritage fjords.
The technology is now being used in larger ships where the long range, quick refueling, uncompromised performance, fuel efficiency, and lower maintenance costs of hydrogen and FCwave make it an appealing proposition for vessels operating over longer distances or duty cycles where battery power is insufficient.
Fuel cells onboard ships
Hydrogen fuel cells are compatible with modern electric and hybrid architectures, and they provide the vessel with electricity. They produce electricity in the same way that batteries do, but the energy carrier in fuel cells is hydrogen, so the power system will produce electricity for the vessel as long as hydrogen is available. FCwave is a high-power, adaptable power generator in a hybrid electric system that combines fuel cells and batteries to deliver efficient, zero-emission electricity.
Fuel cells are easy to deploy and adjust thanks to their modular design, which integrators can customize for specific vessel requirements. They have a long range of operation and deliver consistent power throughout the duty cycle. Fuel cells have been proven to be reliable in many critical heavy-duty applications, with long service lives and few maintenance intervals.
Through a certified commercial solution that enables faster implementation and deployment, FCwave enables fuel cell power for vessels operating across a wider range of routes and applications, paving the way for volume applications.
