TECO 2030, a leading player in green maritime technology, and Skeleton Technologies, a global leader in high-power energy storage, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at promoting the use of renewable hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel in the maritime industry.
The partnership seeks to enable zero-emissions voyage and port operations, with the integration of Skeleton’s SuperBattery with TECO 2030’s fuel cell modules being the first step in the collaboration.
The HyEkoTank project, led by TECO 2030 in collaboration with Shell and other consortium partners from Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands, will witness the integration of Skeleton’s SuperBattery with TECO 2030’s fuel cell modules. This project, which is the largest marine fuel cell retrofit initiative globally, aims to eliminate carbon emissions during voyages and port operations. The joint efforts of TECO 2030 and Skeleton Technologies will focus on developing combined solutions that leverage hydrogen fuel cells and the SuperBattery to facilitate the maritime industry’s transition towards a net-zero future.
Skeleton Technologies’ SuperBattery modules offer increased performance and extended lifetime for fuel cells by reducing the peak power requirement. The partnership between the two companies capitalizes on their shared goals of reducing CO2 emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, with the maritime industry being a prominent target. The compact and dynamic nature of TECO 2030’s FCM400 marine fuel cell, combined with the high-power SuperBattery from Skeleton, provides a space-efficient, cost-effective, safe, and sustainable solution compared to conventional lithium-ion battery options.
The significance of this collaboration extends beyond the maritime sector. The HyEkoTank project, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program, aims to develop optimized hydrogen fuel cell solutions for both sea-going and inland waterway transport, aligning with the broader goal of achieving climate neutrality. The shipping industry, accounting for 2.89% of global emissions, faces significant challenges in decarbonization. Renewable hydrogen emerges as the most viable option for realizing the sector’s decarbonization objectives, with the complementary technologies offered by Skeleton’s SuperBattery enhancing the performance and lifespan of fuel cells.
TECO 2030’s plans to establish Europe’s first Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell gigafactory in Norway further underscores the company’s commitment to green energy solutions. The gigafactory, set to begin production in 2024, aims to produce 400 MW of fuel cells annually by 2025 and reach a staggering 1,600 MW by 2030.
The strategic partnership between TECO 2030 and Skeleton Technologies represents a significant step forward in advancing renewable hydrogen adoption in the maritime sector. By combining their expertise and technologies, the two companies aim to pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future, not only for the maritime industry but also for other sectors such as heavy-duty trucks, rail, shore power, and construction.
