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Batteries can provide the vessel with power from stored energy, but they soon run out of juice and need to be recharged in order to keep working. In hybrid power designs, where an on-board generator charges batteries, they can play a significant role.
Hydrogen-fuelled fuel cells are an effective, green, zero-emission direct current (DC) power source that have been used in heavy-duty bus, truck, and train systems and are currently being developed for marine applications. Water vapour and a little amount of heat are the only emissions from a fuel cell.
In an effort to increase sustainability in the industry, Nuvera Fuel Cells and H2Boat are collaborating to create a hydrogen-based zero-emission energy system for marine vessels.
An E-45 engine from Nurvera, a manufacturer of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell engines, will be added to H2Boat’s HP Energy Pack. The Nuvera E-Series fuel cell engines will be used by H2Boat to increase the scope of its marine product offering.
H2Boat, an Italian company, was established in 2020 to advance marine hydrogen technology. It is a division of Bluenergy Revolution, an Italian business based at the University of Genoa that specializes in metal hydride, electrolyzer, and fuel cell system research and development.
All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) and the ship’s owner SWITCH Maritime (SWITCH) are excited to introduce Sea Change, a 70-foot, 75-passenger ferry that will run in the California Bay Area using hydrogen fuel cells to generate zero emissions.
This will be the first passenger ferry powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that is used for commercial purposes, marking a significant advancement in the US maritime industry’s transition to a sustainable future. The ferry was designed and built to show how zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell marine technologies could be commercialised.
The finished ferry will demonstrate the viability of this zero-carbon ship propulsion technology for the commercial and regulatory communities, even though work is still being done to obtain US Coast Guard approval for hydrogen fuel systems for maritime vessels.
The ship is outfitted with a hydrogen fuel cell power package from Zero Emissions Industries (previously Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine), which is made up of 360 kW of Cummins fuel cells and 246 kg of Hexagon hydrogen storage tanks.
This system incorporates a 2x 300 kW electric propulsion system from BAE Systems and a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery from XALT. With no emissions and less maintenance, the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain system offers the same operational flexibility as diesel.
Incat Crowther is the designer of the vessel, and Hornblower Group is in charge of overseeing and managing the construction process.
A new test area for marine hydrogen fuel cells has been established in Norway by battery technology company Corvus Energy. According to a statement on the company’s website, the new test area is located at the company’s production facility in Bergen.
Toyota is a significant partner and supplier of fuel cell technology for the company as it develops large-scale, maritime-certified hydrogen fuel cell systems.
The development of fuel cell systems for marine applications is already underway, and Rolls-Royce Power Systems will introduce its own mtu fuel cell systems for main propulsion and on-board power generation starting in 2028. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells do not emit any harmful gases, such as CO2, nitrogen oxides, or particulates.
Due to the necessary methanol-reformer, fuel cells powered by green methanol emit only a small amount of CO2, but this amount is equal to that which was previously bound in the e-methanol, making them operate in a CO2-neutral manner.
Additionally, advantageous features that make fuel cell systems interesting for shipping are their low noise and vibration emissions as well as their extremely high efficiency.
Nowadays, hydrocarbons comprising fossil sources, such as petroleum and natural gas products, make up the majority of maritime fuels.
The first focus of hydrogen and fuel cells in maritime applications must be on vessels or applications with specified routes or locations of operation because the fuel supply and infrastructure are still in their infancy.
With this emphasis, we can avoid the complexity and subpar ROI of a widely spread fuel supply with (initially) low throughput and utilisation. The infrastructure and fuel supply will be intelligently built together with the market.
ABB is a leading mobiliser of the equipment in the market. The latest integration has been the transportable power supply system called the fuel cell solution was created for marine use. The hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells serve as the system’s foundation.
The fuel cell technology can be used with batteries or engines and is suited to high and low voltage, AC and DC power systems. The system can be integrated into a hybrid power system or run entirely on hydrogen energy.
Ballard is part of the component manufacturers trending companies in the current industry. The Ballard fuel cells are indeed a modular, zero-emission, high-efficiency, minimal source of renewable energy that is anticipated to play a significant role in the future.
For ferries and other vessels, it is anticipated that a hybrid power system architecture made up of fuel cells and batteries will be employed. Depending on the vessel, route, and timetable, the fuel cell to battery power ratio will change.
It is possible to construct hybrid systems with batteries that are sized for transient power requirements and fuel cells that operate in a steady state.
North America
The North American market, particularly the USA, will be one of the prime markets for (Marine Fuel Cell System Market) due to the nature of industrial automation in the region, high consumer spending compared to other regions, and the growth of various industries, mainly AI, along with constant technological advancements. The GDP of the USA is one of the largest in the world, and it is home to various industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Aerospace, and Technology. The average consumer spending in the region was $72K in 2023, and this is set to increase over the forecast period. Industries are focused on industrial automation and increasing efficiency in the region. This will be facilitated by the growth in IoT and AI across the board. Due to tensions in geopolitics, much manufacturing is set to shift towards the USA and Mexico, away from China. This shift will include industries such as semiconductors and automotive.
Europe
The European market, particularly Western Europe, is another prime market for (Marine Fuel Cell System Market) due to the strong economic conditions in the region, bolstered by robust systems that support sustained growth. This includes research and development of new technologies, constant innovation, and developments across various industries that promote regional growth. Investments are being made to develop and improve existing infrastructure, enabling various industries to thrive. In Western Europe, the margins for (Marine Fuel Cell System Market) are higher than in other parts of the world due to regional supply and demand dynamics. Average consumer spending in the region was lower than in the USA in 2023, but it is expected to increase over the forecast period.
Eastern Europe is anticipated to experience a higher growth rate compared to Western Europe, as significant shifts in manufacturing and development are taking place in countries like Poland and Hungary. However, the Russia-Ukraine war is currently disrupting growth in this region, with the lack of an immediate resolution negatively impacting growth and creating instability in neighboring areas. Despite these challenges, technological hubs are emerging in Eastern Europe, driven by lower labor costs and a strong supply of technological capabilities compared to Western Europe.
There is a significant boom in manufacturing within Europe, especially in the semiconductor industry, which is expected to influence other industries. Major improvements in the development of sectors such as renewable energy, industrial automation, automotive manufacturing, battery manufacturing and recycling, and AI are poised to promote the growth of (Marine Fuel Cell System Market) in the region.
Asia
Asia will continue to be the global manufacturing hub for (Marine Fuel Cell System Market over the forecast period with China dominating the manufacturing. However, there will be a shift in manufacturing towards other Asian countries such as India and Vietnam. The technological developments will come from China, Japan, South Korea, and India for the region. There is a trend to improve the efficiency as well as the quality of goods and services to keep up with the standards that are present internationally as well as win the fight in terms of pricing in this region. The demand in this region will also be driven by infrastructural developments that will take place over the forecast period to improve the output for various industries in different countries.
There will be higher growth in the Middle East as investments fall into place to improve their standing in various industries away from petroleum. Plans such as Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Qatar Vision 2030, and Abu Dhabi 2030 will cause developments across multiple industries in the region. There is a focus on improving the manufacturing sector as well as the knowledge-based services to cater to the needs of the region and the rest of the world. Due to the shifting nature of fossil fuels, the region will be ready with multiple other revenue sources by the time comes, though fossil fuels are not going away any time soon.
Africa
Africa is expected to see the largest growth in (Marine Fuel Cell System Market) over the forecast period, as the region prepares to advance across multiple fronts. This growth aligns with the surge of investments targeting key sectors such as agriculture, mining, financial services, manufacturing, logistics, automotive, and healthcare. These investments are poised to stimulate overall regional growth, creating ripple effects across other industries as consumer spending increases, access to products improves, and product offerings expand. This development is supported by both established companies and startups in the region, with assistance from various charitable organizations. Additionally, the presence of a young workforce will address various existing regional challenges. There has been an improvement in political stability, which has attracted and will continue to attract more foreign investments. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are set to facilitate the easier movement of goods and services within the region, further enhancing the economic landscape.
RoW
Latin America and the Oceania region will showcase growth over the forecast period in (Marine Fuel Cell System Market). In Latin America, the focus in the forecast period will be to improve their manufacturing capabilities which is supported by foreign investments in the region. This will be across industries mainly automotive and medical devices. There will also be an increase in mining activities over the forecast period in this region. The area is ripe for industrial automation to enable improvements in manufacturing across different industries and efficiency improvements. This will lead to growth of other industries in the region.
USA – $210 billion is allocated to federal R&D with main focus on health research, clean energy, semiconductor manufacturing, sustainable textiles, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Investments by private players are mainly focused on technological development including 5G infrastructure and AI in the region.
Europe – EIC is investing €1 billion to innovative companies in sectors like AI, biotechnology, and semiconductors. There is also a focus on developing the ecosystem in the continent as well as improving the infrastructure for developing industries such as electric vehicles and sustainable materials. Private players are targeting data centers, AI, battery plants, and high end technological R&D investments.
Asia – There are investments to tackle a range of scientific and technological advancements in this region mainly coming in from China, India, South Korea, and Japan. This will include artificial intelligence, 5G, cloud computing, pharmaceutical, local manufacturing, and financial technologies. Many countries are aiming to be digital hubs including Saudi Arabia.
Africa – Investments in the region are focused on improving the technological capabilities in the region along with socio-economic development and growth. Private participants of investments in this region is venture capital dominated who are targeting the various growth elements of the region as social stability improves. The major industries are fintech, easier lending, and manufacturing.
Latin America – The focus in the region is for fintech, e-commerce, and mobility sectors. There are also investments in improving manufacturing in the region. Local investments is focused on improving the healthcare, and transportation infrastructure in the region. The region is attracting foreign investments to improve their ability to utilize the natural resources present in the region.
Rest of the World – The investments in this region are focused on clean energy, green metals, and sustainable materials. Funds in Australia are focused on solar energy and battery technologies, along with high end futuristic areas such as quantum computing. The main countries of private investment in ROW will be Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
