KEY BENEFITS
Fuel cell power for a cleaner fleet
<p>Flexible and efficient use of alternative fuels. Achieve sustainability goals and avoid emission fees by integrating fuel cells onboard or onshore. They can also extend running hours when combined with batteries and on-shore charging.</p>Future-proof your vessel for low emission zones
<p>Keep your charter options open by meeting strict environmental requirements in regulated zones, such as fjords and low emission ports. Fuel cell-powered vessels also support local infrastructure by providing clean auxiliary power for peak shaving, managing grid bottlenecks and range extension.</p>Simplify operations, extend vessel life
<p>Optimize operations with efficient system integration, helping with shore connection, grid support and other systems onboard and around your vessel. Fewer moving parts also mean fuel cells need less maintenance and last longer, boosting the lifecycle of your vessel.</p>FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Since our first demonstrator projects in 2017, we've developed extensive experience in fuel cell integration. Find answers to your common questions below.
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How do fuel cells work?
Fuel cells generate energy through an electrochemical reaction. There's no combustion involved, as the fuel cell converts fuel directly to electricity and heat. There are several fuel cell technologies available. Fuel cells can operate highly efficiently on a range of different fuels, the process is the same. Let's take the PEM fuel cell as an example, it is the Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The PEM fuel cell converts the chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction with oxygen, emitting only clean water and heat.
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What are the environmental benefits of using hydrogen fuel cells on ships?
Hydrogen fuel cells enable zero-emission operation, producing only water and heat with no combustion. This helps vessels limit their environmental impact, meet tightening emission regulations, and support long-term sustainability targets.
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What kind of emissions do fuel cells generate on a vessel?
The fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction - not combustion. This means they produce no SOx, NOx or particulate emissions. For hydrogen, there are no CO2 emissions and the only by-products are heat and water.
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What are the technical differences between using the fuel cell in a DC-grid vs AC-grid system?
In a DC-grid system, the DC output of the fuel cell feeds more directly into the system and simplifies integration with batteries and other DC sources (Onboard DC Grid™). AC Grid integration requires some additional converters and transformers, but the operation is the same.
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How can ABB’s fuel cell system be integrated with batteries or conventional engines?
Designed to be modular and flexible, our fuel cell system is compatible with hybrid power architectures. Working alongside other power sources – including four-stroke engines – Using our Power and Energy Management System (PEMS) to keep power flowing smoothly.
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How scalable are fuel cells for different types of vessels?
Fuel cells are highly scalable, and can be integrated on any ship, from tugs and yachts to the largest cruise and cargo vessels.
What's your challenge?
I aim for low emission operation
For a fleet, reduction in carbon emissions need to happen step-by-step. You could replace one genset with fuel cells, for instance with cargo vessels it would make sense to replace auxiliary engines with fuel cells and shaft generators.
I am going to operate on LNG or methanol, will fuel cells still be beneficial for me?
There are fuel cells that can operate on these fuels, allowing higher efficiency than combustion engines without methane slip or NOx emissions. High temperature fuel cells also enable heat recovery systems.
My ship is aging out of use, can fuel cells help me?
Replacing auxiliary gensets with fuel cells in combination with shaft generators provide an excellent future-proofing opportunity. Helping prolong the life of vessels that will otherwise age out due to tightened regulations.
The port grid capacity is not large or stable enough to support vessel needs
Here there are two solutions: the fuel cell system can be installed onboard or onshore, helping support wit peak power, ensuring necessary capacity. Depending on local needs, fuel cells can provide the base power while the grid covers fluctuations, or vice versa.
For a low emission vessel, does it make more sense to invest in fuel cells, energy storage or both?
The answer depends on your operational needs. Between availability, overall cost of electricity and fuel, battery type, fuel cell type and more, contact us to find the optimal solution for your needs.
I'm not ready to invest in a major rebuild or new build, can fuel cells help me?
You always have the option to make minor CO2e modifications by installing fuel cells. In fact, they can be installed in a variety of places onboard, even on the deck in a container.