Hydrogen fuel cell supplier PowerCell and methanol-to-hydrogen reformer builder e1 Marine have successfully completed a groundbreaking shoreside “string test” – a pivotal stride towards the future of sustainable maritime propulsion systems.
The pair connected their equipment to create a novel 200 kW hydrogen-powered propulsion system. This revolutionary system accepts methanol and delivers electrical power, emitting only carbon dioxide and water, completely bypassing the need for an internal combustion engine.
The test acts as a technological trial for the inland push boat MV Hydrogen One, slated to be built around an all-fuel-cell propulsion system. The system is touted as the first of its kind and has the potential to be deployed across a wide range of vessels, including workboats, push-boats, and superyachts. The system is expected to be installed aboard MV Hydrogen One next year, as confirmed by owner Maritime Partners LLC.
Both PowerCell and e1 Marine believe that methanol-to-hydrogen conversion presents a practical solution due to methanol’s relative ease of handling compared to compressed or liquid hydrogen gas. Hydrogen, while a promising clean energy source, requires intricate storage and transfer systems, affecting the overall vessel design. In contrast, methanol, a common commodity with simple, well-understood requirements for marine fuel use, makes for a compelling alternative.
PowerCell Group has been a trailblazer in the development of megawatt-scale fuel cell systems for the maritime sector. The company’s systems are fully marinized for shipboard installation, and it firmly advocates fuel cell power as an effective means of harnessing green methanol—produced from renewable energy—to power low-emission ships.
Richard Berkling, CEO at PowerCell Group, reflected on the successful completion of the tests, stating, “These tests give future ship owners, integrators, and methanol suppliers the confidence they need in this powerful combination of technologies. Fuel cells are some of the most efficient ways to extract energy from fuel, and we are deploying them at a scale never seen before.” Berkling highlighted PowerCell’s project with Torghatten Nord, where they will supply 12.8 MW fuel cells on Norway’s longest ferry route, marking the largest maritime project to date.
The results of PowerCell and e1 Marine’s technology trial signify an exciting shift in the maritime energy landscape, offering a promising path to low-carbon shipping and reinforcing the potential of hydrogen fuel cells and methanol in the fight against climate change.
