Genevos and Oceanslab introduce Plug and Play Hydrogen fuel Cell Solutions for maritime decarbonisation

 

Race to Zero Emissions with Hydrogen solutions.

 

The Hydrogen Power Module (HPM) is a marinised plug-and-play solution to achieving zero emissions power for vessels. Water is the only by-product of the HPM, which uses a high-efficiency fuel cell to create electricity through the reaction of hydrogen sourced from renewable energy.

Free from toxic greenhouse gases, clean hydrogen has been named by the International Transport Forum as an important fuel for decarbonising maritime trade. What’s more, hydrogen created from renewables has been forecast to undercut all other forms of marine fuel by 2030.

“Fuel cells and hydrogen will play a vital role in the clean energy transition of this sector,” commented Phil Sharp, OceansLab skipper and Technical Director of Genevos. “To meet climate change goals all new boats and ships built from 2030 must be Zero Emission Vessels, using clean fuels. To achieve this, we have to start introducing this innovative technology now to ensure that we can scale up in time.”

Genevos will be producing a series of HPMs with power outputs ranging from 8 to 200 kW and capable of meeting a range of vessel sizes and energy demands. Modules can provide clean energy solutions for varied applications including primary or hybrid propulsion, in addition to powering auxiliary systems in large commercial vessels to prevent coastal and in-port emissions.

Renowned specialist in low carbon shipping and Associate Professor at UCL Energy Institute Dr Tristan Smith commented: “Zero emission technology and fuel is an inevitable future for shipping. The industry needs projects and pilots that use technologies such as the Genevos HPM, to kick-start this clean transition.”

Based in La Rochelle, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Genevos has an established research partnership with EIGSI University and its industrial power systems test centre through the development of a hydrogen lab. Testing is currently being carried out on an HPM-8 kW prototype whilst providing a focal point for research projects at the university.

Genevos are in the process of securing demonstrator partnerships for recreational and commercial hydrogen pilot projects and are interested in connecting with boat constructors looking for clean hydrogen solutions.

For more information please visit www.genevos.com.

Genevos HPM – Features

• Low Weight:  Typically 60-75% lower weight than an all-electric system using the latest lithium battery technology
• Environmentally friendly:  Zero emissions and virtually silent operation
• Fuel requirement: Green hydrogen which is created from electrolysers supplied with renewable energy.  Hydrogen is a light, odorless gas and has been proven in industry for decades as safe to produce, store and transport.
• Plug and play:  Fully-integrated systems in marinised enclosure for easy installation
• Practical:  Modular and scalable for high range applications
• Efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells are typically 2-3 times the efficiency of marine diesel engines
  

 

Toyota Motor Europe and French Hynova boats introduce 1st hydrogen boat prototype

 Toyota Motor Europe and French Hynova boats introduce 1st hydrogen boat prototype 

We knew that Toyota was forward planning when they started with their hybrid systems in the mid 1970’s. Over the years they have established themselves as the pioneer in hybrid propulsion for transportation systems, like cars. Now Toyota Motor Europe’s fuel cell module brings hydrogen to the wider maritime industry in a cooperation with Hynova boats. They have introduced their prototype at the Monaco Boat show in September 2020. 

 

 

 

Some achievements of Toyota Motor Europe so far: 

• Toyota fuel cell module already successfully tested aboard the Energy Observer boat (EO) over more than 7,000 nautical miles, including trans-Atlantic crossings 
• Toyota fuel cell technology integrated in Energy Observer Developments’ (EODev) Hydrogen Range Extender (REXH2), delivers zero CO2, zero fine particle emissions and noise-free maritime mobility 
• EODev installs their Toyota fuel cell based maritime REXH2 in HYNOVA Yachts and starts field demonstration tests. 

 The REXH2 is a modular maritime hydrogen power solution developed around Toyota's fuel cell technology. It has been successfully tested in real open sea conditions aboard the Energy Observer boat for over more than 7,000 nautical miles including trans-Atlantic crossings. The hydrogen-electric hybrid technology in the REXH2 makes silent maritime and river mobility without emissions of CO2 or fine particles possible. 

 

 

The EODevs presented this REXH2 in the HYNOVA 40, a 12m boat from HYNOVA Yachts, which can be used as a day-boat or a superyacht tender. While the Energy Observer boat’s main propulsion comes from electricity directly generated from sun and wind, the HYNOVA Yacht is a battery electric boat, supplemented with the Hydrogen Range Extender with the Toyota fuel cell at its core. With a capacity of 12 passengers, it is the first pleasure boat equipped with fuel cell technology and brings zero emissions, hydrogen-electric hybrid technology to the wider maritime industry. 

The Toyota Fuel Cell Module inside the REXH2 delivers up to 60 kW rated net power and is based on the existing fuel cell technology from the Toyota Mirai. The R&D carried out by the EODev and Toyota teams has made it possible to perfectly adapt the technology to the challenging conditions of the marine environment. 

 “We welcome the opportunity to further expand the testing of our hydrogen technology to another maritime application. Following the integration of our Fuel Cell module in the Energy Observer boat, we have further adjusted the module to fit in the EODev Hydrogen Range Extender. Together with the EODev team, we can demonstrate that zero emissions and zero noise technologies for different types of mobility and power applications are already possible today. Making the different applications available is a great opportunity to decarbonise energy usage already today and contribute to the development of the hydrogen society” 

Thiebault Paquet, Director of the Fuel-Cell Business Unit at Toyota Motor Europe. 

 In July 2020, the Nynova Fuel-Cell Hydrogen powered prototype boat was given a “Coup de Cœur” award at Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge.