First high-power hydrogen barge for the electrification of boats

The ELEMANTA H2 project partners have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement mobile solutions providing on-dock electrification services (cold ironing) in addition to the electrical network for container ships, cruise ships, or tankers using green or low carbon hydrogen.

Future hydrogen-powered boats will be able to refuel thanks to ELEMANTA H2’s hydrogen bunkering capability. This collaboration of French experts aims to enhance skills in various fields, from naval architecture to hydrogen technologies, from port infrastructure management to the publishing of industrial asset integrity management software.

Decarbonization of the maritime sector

Maritime transport accounted for 13.5 percent of total EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. Nearly 77 percent of European external trade and 35 percent of EU internal trade takes place by sea or river. In order to achieve the objective set by the European Commission of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030, the maritime and river transport sector must accelerate its energy transition. ELEMANTA H2 aims to contribute to the decarbonization of port activities.

A synergy is driven by French players

The partners have identified the Rouen river port and in particular, the location of Rubis Terminal as a pioneer site since it has a strategic position between the Grand Port Maritime du Havre (GPMH) and the ports of Paris. With the support of Normandie Energies and the port operator HAROPA, a demonstration barge will carry a high-power hydrogen fuel cell system manufactured in France by HDF Energy. In addition, high-pressure green hydrogen storage will cover the need for autonomy during stopovers. Sofresid Engineering will carry out the architecture and the integration of the equipment of the barge, mobile to move as close as possible to the need and maximize its rate of use. A risk analysis based on innovative tools will be carried out by Améthyste.

An ambitious project labeled Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique

The ELEMANTA H2 demonstrator offers a carbon-free alternative to the diesel generator sets that currently supply these ships at berth to reduce CO 2 emissions by more than 85 percent and all nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide emissions ( SO²) [3] in stopover. The power barge will be commissioned in 2025 for an operating period of 20 years. The ELEMANTA H2 Rouen project, labeled in April 2022 by the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, was selected as part of the AMI Corimer 2022 launched by BPI France.

The ELEMANTA H2 power barge of tomorrow

The objective of the partners is to standardize and replicate this solution, on higher powers, in the main European ports which are thus integrated into future major hydrogen hub projects. Eventually, the use of liquid hydrogen or the addition of a hydrogen bunkering service, a skill provided by ArianeGroup, could significantly increase the quantity of energy on board to offer a better service. Finally, the use of hydrogen, produced locally, makes it possible to reduce the impact of the volatility of international fossil fuel markets and thus strengthens French energy sovereignty and the resilience of these activities.

Agnès Gaillard, President of Amethyste: “Amethyste is delighted to be a partner in this project with strong human and environmental values. Amethyste’s expertise in digital integrity management will enable ELEMANTA H2 partners to share the same reference framework with risk management at the heart of the construction and then the operation of the barge”.

Arnaud Hibert, hydrogen technologies sales manager at ArianeGroup: “Through its more than 40 years of experience acquired around Ariane rockets, whose on-board systems and infrastructures use liquid hydrogen, ArianeGroup will support the evolution of the ELEMANTA concept towards applications of more power and an additional bunkering service”.

Christophe Champenois, Director of the CETIM H2 Major Project: “With its HyMEET project, the CETIM puts its mechanical expertise at the service of the hydrogen sector to accelerate the decarbonization of industry and heavy mobility. CETIM’s contribution to the ELEMANTA H2 project by analyzing the risks and the life cycle of this hydrogen barge demonstrator in the maritime and river sector is a striking illustration of this”.

Damien Havard, President of HDF Energy: “HDF is proud to bring its expertise in hydrogen technologies to the development of the Elementary H2 barge. Thanks to its mass production plant for high-power fuel cells, HDF has Made in France solutions adapted to the major challenges of decarbonization in the maritime sector”.

Stéphane Simon, Director of Rubis Terminal Rouen: “Rubis Terminal works to develop future energy infrastructures of tomorrow. Mobile, flexible and reactive solutions, such as ELEMANTA H2 are concrete and technically feasible options in the short term for which we are committed”.

Stéphane Lotode, Director of the Green Energies branch of SOFRESID ENGINEERING, a French subsidiary of SAIPEM: “In 2019, SOFRESID ENGINEERING won an innovation prize for its ELEMANTA concept, the result of our expertise in the naval and energy fields. Today, we are proud to present its natural evolution: ELEMANTA H2 POWER BARGE, a modular solution to the decarbonization of the maritime and river sectors”.