In Norway, Hyon AS, a joint venture wholly owned by Nel ASA, Hexagon Composites ASA, and PowerCell Sweden AB has announced that it has received an "Approval-in-Principle" (AIP) from the world-leading certification company DNV GL for a fuel cell-based power generating unit for vessels."The approval is a milestone that not only shows that our fuel cells are able to meet the tough demands in maritime applications but also opens up new markets for us," said Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell Sweden.
The unit is built on the PowerCell MS-100 fuel cell system, paving the way for a wide use of fuel cells aboard ships. Hyon manufactures, among other things, electrolyzers and hydrogen gas tanks. By combing the products and know-how of the company owners Nel, Hexagon Composites and PowerCell Sweden, Hyon has developed a complete and module-based power generation solution for ships that now has received an Approval-in-Principle (AIP) from the certification company DNV GL.
DNV GL is a world-leading certification company and one of the world’s largest classification societies for ships and offshore. This is the first time that a power generating unit based on hydrogen and fuel cells receives an approval for use in ships from DNV GL.
Commercial shipping affects the environment, through emissions of both carbon dioxide (CO2), NOx, SOx and particulate matter (PM), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set the goal of halving emissions from shipping by 2050. In order to achieve that goal, increased use of non-fossil and renewable fuels will be required for both propulsion and onboard power generation.
A power generating unit based on fuel cells is significantly smaller than one based on diesel or gas with equal power and does not emit greenhouse gases, particles, sulphur or nitrogen oxides, said Arild Eiken, Maritime Technical Manager of Hyon AS.
The now approved fuel cell solution can be installed above or below the main deck and encompasses cabinets from 100kW up to containers of 1 MW power.
As the shipping industry is changing, hydrogen fuel cells will become a very attractive alternative. Already, confirmed field tests that utilise fuel cells and combinations of fuel cells are already underway for different types of vessels, said Arild Eiken.
