ABB partners on hydrogen ships

Megawatt-scale fuel cell systems capable of powering ocean-going vessels will be developed by ABB and Hydrogène de France (HDF).

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two envisages close collaboration on the assembly and production of the fuel cell power plant for marine applications.

Building on a June 27, 2018 collaboration with Ballard Power Systems, ABB and HDF intend to optimise fuel cell manufacturing capabilities to produce the megawatt-scale power plant based on one developed by ABB and Ballard, to be made at HDF’s new facility in Bordeaux, France.

Fuel cells turn the chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction using renewables.

“With the ever-increasing demand for solutions that enable sustainable, responsible shipping, we are confident that fuel cells will play an important role in helping the marine industry meet CO2 reduction targets,” ABB Marine and Ports managing director Juha Koskela says.

“Signing the MOU with HDF brings us a step closer to making this technology available for powering ocean-going vessels.”

HDF chief executive Damien Havard says the company is excited about the project.

With shipping responsible for about 2.5% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, there is an increased pressure for the maritime industry to transition to more sustainable power sources.

The International Maritime Organisation, a United Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping, has set a global target to cut annual emissions in half by 2050 from 2008 levels.

Among alternative emission-free technologies, ABB is well advanced in collaborative development of fuel cell systems for ships.

ABB’s eco-efficiency portfolio, which enables sustainable smart cities, industries and transport systems to mitigate climate change, accounted for 57% of total revenues in 2019 and is on track to reach 60% by the end of 2020.