Fuel cell technology, estimated to be up to 50 per cent more efficient than today’s diesel engines, will in the near future transform the economics and environmental impact of commercial shipping, according to a DNV-led joint industry project called FellowSHIP.
The project recently concluded the first stage of its breakthrough scientific research on fuel cell technology for ships. The primary goal of the project is to develop system solutions that make it possible to utilise current fuel cell technology in ships.
“We now know how this technology can be applied on ships and we have proved the advantages it will give to shipping in future. Overall, the technology can be up to 50 per cent more efficient than today’s diesel engines and at the same time open up for ultra clean ships,” says FellowSHIP’s project manager Tomas Tronstad of DNV Research and Innovation.
Future strict emission reductions at sea
To date, the shipping industry has been subject to relatively mild environmental requirements compared to land-based industry – a situation that will change during the coming years. This, in combination with the continued use of increasingly expensive fossil fuel and the growing call for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, poses a global challenge. A significant solution will be the development of fuel cell technology for ships, which, compared with conventional power-generating equipment, offers improved efficiency and reduced atmospheric emissions.
Clean, efficient and comfortable
“We have proven that this groundbreaking technology provides numerous advantages. It results in significant improvements in power plant efficiency and considerable reductions in operational costs and emissions compared to conventional engines,” explains Tomas Tronstad.
Fuel cell capital costs are about six times those of diesel generator sets. Interestingly, DNV studies show that, owing to the reduced fuel consumption and with the current favourable price of gas compared to oil products, the lower operational costs of fuel cells halve this difference. “Looking some years ahead, we believe that stricter environmental requirements and likely subsequent favourable schemes for ‘green’ technology will more than compensate for fuel cells’ higher initial investment costs,” says Tomas Tronstad.
In addition, there are the environmental advantages since the only ‘exhaust’ from fuel cells is heat and water. If fuelled by carbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, the exhaust will contain CO2, but up to 50 per cent less than that produced by diesel engines run on marine bunker fuel. Fuel cell technology is inherently silent and vibration-free and this increases passenger comfort and improves the working environment for the crew. Further, the simpler designs with fewer moving parts require far less maintenance. Also, fuel cell technology is modular, enabling systems to be configured for the efficient use of onboard space.
“This versatility, coupled with reduced costs and clean emissions, makes fuel cell technology the bow wave for the future of commercial shipping,” concludes Tomas Tronstad.