Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Nuvera will supply an E-45 fuel cell engine to the Italian company for marine approval certification, and subsequent integration into its anticipated 40kW Energy Pack.

Additionally, H2 View understands H2Boat intends on using Nuvera’s E-Series Fuel Cell Engines to expand its marine product line.

Launched in 2020, H2Boat are seeking to introduce sustainable hydrogen technology into the marine sector, starting with the pleasure boat sector. It’s planned energy pack is set to comprise an electrolyser for the production of hydrogen, metallic hydride to facilitate storage of hydrogen at a low pressure and temperature, and a fuel cell to produce electricity.

Giampaolo Sibilia, Director of European Operations for Nuvera Fuel Cells, said, “Fuel cells provide an extremely attractive value proposition to the marine industry.

“We believe hydrogen should, and will, play a key role in the sector’s journey towards decarbonisation. We look forward to joining with H2Boat to fulfil a specific need in the boating industry to make maritime transportation cleaner and quieter.”

In 2021, Nuvera commissioned a hydrogen fuel cell engine test facility in Italy, which integrated an Engine Test Module (ETM) providing the capacity to simultaneously test up to eight fuel cell engines at different customer-specific load cycles.

Read more: Nuvera commissions hydrogen fuel cell engine test facility in Italy

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Green hydrogen and fuel cells key to maritime decarbonisation

Hydrogen is set to play an important role in maritime decarbonisation, but its widespread adoption in the shipping industry will rely on sustainable production, scaled-up solutions and reduced costs.

According to international classification society DNV, demand for hydrogen as an energy carrier could reach 24 exajoules in 2050 – from practically zero in 2019. The reasoning behind this sharp projected increase is clear: as an energy carrier, hydrogen holds significant potential to decarbonise industries and contribute to a more sustainable society overall. In shipping, it can help owners to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of at least 50% by 2050 when compared with 2008 levels.

As a renowned provider of efficient, sustainable technologies to industries including maritime, ABB is a strong proponent for the use of hydrogen technologies in shipping operations. At the same time, the company recognises that certain obstacles must be overcome before hydrogen can be widely adopted as an energy carrier for the marine sector.

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