Fuel cell-driven passenger ship
PUCHHEIM, GERMANY, October 1, 2008. Proton Power Systems Plc (PPS), a designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell hybrid systems, has announced what it claims to be the world's first fuel cell driven passenger ship.
The ZemShip (Zero Emission Ship) runs on a hybrid fuel cell drive technology produced by the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH.
The hybrid unit integrates two of Proton Motor's 48 kW fuel cell systems and a lead gel battery. The system uses up to 50kg of gaseous hydrogen stored in onboard tanks, sufficient to provide fuel for around three days' use.
After a phase of test operation the ship operator will gradually take the ship into commercial service starting this year, with a capacity of 100 passengers at a time.
An intelligent energy management system effectively co-ordinates the output of power between the fuel cells and the battery to offer twice the fuel efficiency of a standard diesel engine ship, PPS says. The power system has been certified for maritime operations by Germanischer Lloyd.
The European Union is investing €2.4 million in ZemShip's development, realisation and operation until 2010. Following the commencement of operations, technicians will collect information on the performance of the hybrid zero emission drive and identify areas of improvement to feed into the company's ongoing commercialisation programme.
To date, fuel cell systems of equivalent performance level in maritime applications have only been realised for military submarines, according to PPS.
Renewable Energy Focus © Copyright 2008, Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.