(West Sussex / Great Britain) – The British company Ricardo plc, a consultant on environmental issues and technologies, will work with the “Sustainable Hydrogen powered Shipping” (SHYPS) consortium to develop zero-emission fuel cell propulsion technologies for passenger ships. The project, co-financed by the EU, involves 13 partners in six European countries.
A consortium of 13 companies wants to develop the concept for a passenger ship powered by green hydrogen by 2027. The basis is standardized hydrogen containers: empty tanks are exchanged for full ones in the port using on-board loading cranes. © SHYPS
Hydrogen is “one of the few promising zero-emission solutions,” said SHYPS, but the technology required for onboard use is “not yet fully developed.” To close this gap, the consortium is focusing on developing an exchangeable storage system for liquid hydrogen based on standardized 7,45 meter long containers (Type C). However, companies face several challenges:
- Care: There are therefore only a few companies that produce type C tanks that are suitable for transporting hydrogen. Therefore, the container technology for the use of fuels is being improved. This also includes the possibility of converting the stored liquid hydrogen into gas. SHYPS wants to develop C-containers as hydrogen storage that are loaded and unloaded using on-board systems. In addition, a logistics network for supplying ships with green liquid hydrogen is being designed, which is based on the exchange of pre-filled containers. In addition, there is the detailed planning of a modular containerized drive train based on optimized PEM fuel cells.
- Regulations: There are still no specific rules and regulations for the use of hydrogen as a marine fuel. At most, pilot projects for “unconventional” ships would be accepted. Among other things, SHYPS wants to tackle the certification of the storage components.
- Demonstration object: As part of the project, the storage technology will be implemented in the new construction of a fjord cruise ship from the consortium partner Viking Group. In addition, a concept will be created for the expansion to cargo ships with a view to new demonstration ships by 2027. By integrating the liquid hydrogen storage system into the overall design of a 6-megawatt PEM fuel cell-based drive train, SHYPS will contribute to reaching the megawatt limit in the maritime sector.
In October 2022, Ricardo opened its hydrogen testing facility at its headquarters in Shoreham-by-Sea on the south coast of England. The first hydrogen module for ship propulsion developed as part of the SHYPS consortium will be tested here. © Ricardo plc
Ricardo will work with classification society and consortium member Lloyd's Register. The aim is to specify, design, build and test a 375 kilowatt fuel cell module and to design a multi-megawatt container power plant intended for installation on board passenger ships. Testing of the first module will take place in the new hydrogen development and testing facility at Ricardo's Shoreham Technical Centre. Ricardo announced its development in January 2021 with an initial investment of 2,5 million British pounds. The inauguration took place in October last year.
Shipping has a great need for hydrogen
Ricardo recently highlighted the importance of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in Scotland in studies for the Scottish Economic Development Authority, Scottish Enterprise. The results showed “that the shipping sector has the greatest demand potential for hydrogen,” said Hamish Nichol, head of hydrogen at Ricardo. With Scottish ports serving as international freight hubs, there is also “a growing need for energy-rich fuels such as ammonia”.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), part of the UN, had already instructed the shipping industry in 2018 to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 2050 percent by 50. The reference year is 2008. The consortium is convinced that the SHYPS solution can “enable a completely emission-free ship platform in the required time.”
Further information about SHYPS-Project
Photos
The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri handed over the “Viking Neptune” to the Viking Line company in November 2022: The ship, which weighs around 47.800 tons, is equipped with fuel cells with a nominal output of 100 kilowatts. © Fincantieri – Cantieri Navali Italiani SpA
