Fuel cell conundrum

Using fuel cells can help to reduce CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide and particulate matter, the M?rsk Mc-Kinney M?ller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) pointed out this week. Since fuel cells can generate power through electrochemical reactions rather than combustion, they can enable ships to use zero-emission potential fuels like methanol, ammonia and hydrogen without a need for pilot fuel.

Multiple fuel cell technologies for marine applications are currently under development, primarily focusing on using hydrogen as a fuel to power ships.

French hydrogen specialist?Genevos received approval in principle from classification society 必维国际检验集团 for its marine fuel cell system with a 250-kilowatt (kW) output. This proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system can be powered by hydrogen through converting it into electricity with a chemical reaction. Only water is produced as a byproduct. The system can also be compatible with methanol.

Another PEM-based marine fuel cell system developed by Norwegian tech firm TECO 2030 has reached 100% stable power capacity during trials using hydrogen as fuel. Achieving full power output means that the fuel cell is functioning correctly at its maximum capacity under the given conditions. The successful trial demonstrates that the fuel cell system is “fully functional” and nearing commercial deployment, according to Tore Enger, group chief executive of TECO 2030.

Despite these advancements, hydrogen fuel cells have yet to make a breakthrough in their ability to power large ocean-going vessels.

This is because PEM fuel cells require constant supply of hydrogen to generate power. High cost and challenges associated with storing large quantities of hydrogen onboard vessels makes it expensive and impractical for long-distance voyages. Larger vessels will need high-efficiency fuel cells for longer voyages, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Since SOFC technology in marine applications is still at a nascent stage, it may take some time before ocean-going vessels can fully transition to hydrogen propulsion.

A recent MMMCZCS?study?has found that even after fuel cells are commercially deployed in a few years, they may not replace marine combustion engines due to high retail and replacement costs. It projects SOFCs to cost around $5,500 per kilowatt (kW) and PEM fuel cells to cost around $4,000/kW by 2025. They can instead be used to generate auxiliary power to help vessels attain maximum energy efficiency and emission reductions, it suggests.

In other news,?MAN Cryo, the cryogenic equipment division of MAN Energy Solutions , will design a hydrogen fuel supply system for Norwegian ferry operator Torghatten Nord AS 's ferries. Torghatten has ordered two hydrogen-capable ferries and plans to convert two of its existing LNG ferries to run on hydrogen by 2025. MAN Cryo will provide a liquid hydrogen fuel supply system for these ferries, which includes equipment to support bunkering and handling the fuel onboard.

UAE-based AD Ports Group , Egyptian container shipping line Transmar and construction company Orascom Construction will?build?a green methanol storage and export facility in Egypt to meet shipping’s growing demand for green methanol. Through this facility, the trio aims to provide bunkering for shipping lines that have ordered methanol-capable vessels.

By Konica Bhatt

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