Genevos launches high-power fuel cell for zero-emission vessels

Hydrogen power solutions developer Genevos, has launched the new HPM-80 fuel cell.

This 80kW plug-and-play marine fuel cell is stackable to multi-MW scale. The firms says this enables energy-intensive applications such as ferries and service vessels to reduce their emissions to zero.

The HPM-80 joins the HPM-15 and HPM-40 marine fuel cell family providing a drop-in solution for decarbonising boats and ships with propulsion systems from 10 kW to 5 MW. This range is in the Type Approval Certification process, with the first HPM-80 multi-stacked system to be delivered this summer.

Genevos’ technology offers a low-weight, optimised, and modular solution to meet the specific energy requirements of a vessel, delivering 100 per cent clean power and emitting only water as a byproduct.

HPM-80s can be stacked to high power to fully decarbonise a diverse range of vessels including ferries, crew transfer vessels, offshore support vessels, tug boats, and even small freighters for short-sea transport.  

Alternatively, hybridisation can offer a valuable first step towards full decarbonisation, and extend the life of existing vessels. A vast range of commercial applications such as service, fishing and patrol boats operate at low speed, where a combustion engine is most inefficient and which can be replaced by fuel cell electric propulsion, says Genevos. Such hybridisation can reduce fuel consumption by over 50 per cent.

Additionally, for existing cargo and cruise ships, the HPM-80s can be used to eliminate emissions in port and at anchor by powering auxiliary vessel systems. This is particularly important in populated coastal areas and maritime cities, in order to reduce toxic NOx and particle emissions.   

Weighing 330 kg, the HPM-80 is said to be one third of the weight of an equivalent diesel genset, and has been engineered to minimise the overall weight and energy consumption of a vessel.  

The HPMs are electrically connected in parallel to reach optimal vessel power requirements, with each module protected and controlled to provide independent power, enabling high efficiency and redundancy.

The HPM family also uses corrosion-resistant graphite plate technology by integrating Cummins-Hydrogenics high durability (HD-series) stacks, which have been developed and tested for heavy-duty applications over the last 20 years.

“Energy security and reliability is crucial for a vessel and is especially important for a professional boat that can reach over 5,000 hrs of use per year,” says explains Phil Sharp, CTO and co-founder at Genevos. “The independent operation of each module provides that all-important redundancy, and the vessel can continue normal operation if one module is shut down or removed for maintenance.”

Genevos says the new HPM-80 offers a unique solution to mechanically stack the modules vertically, with the lower module bolted directly to the floor. This simplifies system installation and avoids the need for an additional supporting structure.

Genevos has recently developed a ‘Hydrogen Power Module’ that will be used on a new zero-emission IMOCA, ahead of the 2024 Vendée Globe race.