eCap Marine has announced that its containerised hydrogen-electric system has successfully operated onboard the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Coastal Liberty.
After the vessel was retrofitted and received “first-class certification” from DNV for the newly installed hydrogen system in February (2024), Coastal Liberty set sail in the German Wadden Sea.
The system features two Ballard FCwave 200kW fuel cells, a maritime battery system from Lehmann Marine, and other necessities for an OSV. Offshore Service Gesellschaft contracted eCap Marine to develop the system.
H2 View understands the green hydrogen used for the project is produced locally, using an offshore wind power and electrolyser plant located near the vessel’s berth, and was simultaneously installed for the project.
The Karlsson GmbH and EWE joint venture developed the 2MW plant in Cuxhaven, Germany, last year, created to supply green hydrogen to zero-emission vessels.
eCap Marine designed three swappable high-pressure tank systems with a focus on safety, aligning with the rules and regulations resulting to the transport of units between the vessel and electrolyser by truck.
Frederike Engels, eCap’s Head of Projects, confirmed that switching, disconnecting and reconnecting the hydrogen tanks is very easy and safe, taking just a few minutes.
Lars Ravens, Managing Director of eCap Marine, added, “This system is a unique installation on board a seagoing ship and scalable up to the megawatt-sized designs for larger commercial ships and longer voyages as well as smaller inland vessels.”
Hydrogen fuel cells for marine vessels are steadily becoming a more efficient mode of transportation, with innovators like TECO 2030 leading the way in design advancements.
Read more:TECO 2030 fuel cell module runs at 100% on testbed
Last month (September), Honda and Hypermotive unveiled a scalable hydrogen fuel cell power system designed for maritime applications, the X-M1.
The system is reportedly suitable for newbuild and existing vessels, such as cruise ships, ferries, workboats and yachts, to aid the transition to zero-emission operations.
Read more:Honda and Hypermotive reveal maritime hydrogen fuel cell system
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