The German firm will work with Drift Energy to marinise its systems so they could be used in the UK-based company’s plans to produce hydrogen at sea on boats.

The concept would see Enapter’s electrolysers installed on 58-metre yachts, with underwater turbines attached to the vessels powering hydrogen production.

Drift says the boats will use an AI vessel routing algorithm to allow the yachts to find and stay in “optimum weather conditions” at sea, maximising energy generated by the turbines.

Work will focus on adapting materials and components in the electrolyser to withstand saline marine environments and vessel motions.

The pair expects the first unit to meet marine certification requirements and be ready for deployment by 2027. The technology could then be integrated across over 30 ships currently on Drift’s order book.

According to the company, each of its vessels can currently produce 150,000kg of green hydrogen per year and bunker other vessels in port or at anchor.

However, it could extend beyond the vessels themselves. Drift said the technology will be “available” for other marine-based applications, like offshore wind-linked hydrogen production.

Offshore green hydrogen production is seen as a promising method of reducing hydrogen costs, with strong and consistent wind presenting opportunities for vast and inexpensive renewable energy production.

While Drift’s technology represents an innovative maritime hydrogen solution, its scale would position it as a niche supplier. The full production capacity of a 30-strong fleet of its hydrogen-producing vessels would only be a maximum of 4,500 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.