Hydrogen Gas "Will Replace Diesel in a Marine Industry that is Forced to Reduce its Emissions"

PowerCell says its has received an order for two of its S3 prototype stacks.

While the idea of gas-powered vessels is gaining increasing acceptance within the industry, particularly with respect to burning liquefied natural gas (LNG), at least one company believes hydrogen is the answer to ships' emissions problems.

"Hydrogen gas will replace diesel in a marine industry that is forced to reduce its emissions," said Alexandre Closset, CEO, Swiss Hydrogen SA (Swiss Hydrogen).

The comments came as part of an announcement by PowerCell Sweden AB (PowerCell), who says earlier this month it received the first marine order for its hydrogen fuel cell technology.

PowerCell and Swiss Hydrogen have partnered to install and develop a fuel cell system on a ship that will be powered by photovoltaics.

The system will include on-board production of hydrogen gas from solar electricity, storage of hydrogen gas, and two 30 kW fuel cells, providing 80 hp in total.

"We are responsible for the fuel cells and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment," said PowerCell CEO Per Wassén.

"The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications."

The collaboration agreement was noted to have been signed in April 2016.

"The ship in question will be a mobile show-case that describes how effective and reliable the hydrogen gas technology is in marine environments," said Closset.

The companies also say that, over the next few years, car ferries, passenger ferries, and a fishing boat will be powered by fuel cell technology in Norway.

"The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important," said Wassén.