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The summarized results of the e4ships project were presented last week at the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg.

In two demonstration projects under the lead of Meyer Werft and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the e4ships partners have developed fuel cell systems for seagoing vessels. The two projects are named Project Pa-X-ell and Project SchIBZ.

Commenting on the progress made so far, the project partners said: "In the project e4ships, the use of fuel cells on ships has been successfully demonstrated. The tested systems provide the opportunity of a highly efficient cogeneration (CHP) also on board of ships. Compared with conventional systems that are operated with marine diesel or heavy oil, significant reductions of noise and emissions could be proved. In addition, the modular approach offers a flexible and safe design on board. The results of the project have gone into the international regulation development to enable basically the use of alternative fuels and fuel cells in international shipping in the future."

Project Pa-X-ell

The project Pa-X-ell is putting to the test high-temperature PEM fuel cells on passenger vessels. The fuel cell systems are integrated into commercially available 19-inch racks.

Bernard Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft, said: "In the demonstration project Pa-X-ell methanol operated high temperature PEM fuel cells for seagoing passenger vessels are developed, adapted and tested. A demonstration plant on the premises of the Meyer Werft shipyard has been used for first technical examinations to test reliability and suitability for the maritime sector. For a fist maritime demonstration, a 90 kW system has been installed in addition to the conventional energy supply on the Scandinavian ferry MS Mariella. The fuel cell system is based on standardized modular units which can be scaled by connecting to any performance capacities. This way, the new resulting energy modules are supposed to be the basis of a decentralized network on board in the future."

Project SchIBZ

At the core of the SchIBZ project is the development of a scalable, integrated hybrid fuel cell system for seagoing ships, with a power capacity of 50 to 500 kilowatts (kW).

Keno Leites, Project Manager e4ships at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, remarked: "The focus of the demonstration project SchIBZ is the development of a diesel-operated hybrid fuel cell system with a scalable capacity of 100 to 500 kW for seagoing ships. As the main power source it is supposed to assume the power supply of all kinds of seagoing vessels. For a practical testing at sea a 50 kW system has been built in a container and is tested on the MS Forester in real operations as a power supply system. Low-sulphur diesel, as already used in road traffic, is employed as a fuel. In the medium term it is aimed to use alternatively natural gas as an energy source too."

Regulation

On the issue of regulation, Dr. Reinhard Luken, General Managing Director German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM), said: "On the international level, shipbuilding and shipping are highly regulated. Therefore the e4ships results have been successfully introduced into the relevant instruments of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Herewith the international legal basis to use fuel cells commercially has been created. The German shipbuilding industry thrives on environmental innovation and its commercialization. However, in order to fully exploit the potential of the fuel cell technology, other alternative fuel sources must be approved."

Dr. Heike Deggim, Deputy Director of International Maritime Organization (IMO) commented: "Alternative fuels and energy converters as, for example fuel cells, can certainly play an important part in promoting green shipping. The IMO welcomes the technical input of NGOs, as for example the European Shipyards' Associations CESA, which, with the results of F&E projects, can contribute to an industry-tailored development of regulations."

About e4ships

e4ships is an association of leading German yards, ship operators, manufacturers of fuel cells, equipment suppliers and classification societies with the common interest of using fuel cell technology on ships.

The project is funded by the Federal Government under the National Innovation Program (NIP) for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

The project partners are: AIDA Cruises, Leibniz Universitat Hannover, Ser Energy, DNV GL, Lurssen, Sunfire, Deutshces Zentrum fur Luf- und Raumfahrt (DLR), M&P Motion Control and Power Electronics, Thyssenkrupp, Flensburger, Meyer Werft, Verband fur Schiffbau und Meerestechnik (VSM), HY Solutions, Oel Waerme Institut, Zentrum fur BrennstoffzellenTechnik ZBT, Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Reederei Rord Braren, and National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.