Project Overview
Marine Zero collaborated with David Scott Marine to develop an outline design for a hydrogen-powered coastal transport vessel. This initiative aimed to address the challenges of integrating hydrogen fuel cells into maritime propulsion systems, providing a blueprint for zero-emission coastal vessels.
The Challenge
As the maritime industry seeks sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, integrating hydrogen propulsion presents technical and regulatory challenges. The project focused on designing a propulsion system that balances performance, safety, and environmental considerations for coastal operations.
Project Scope & Design
Marine Zero’s design features:
- Hybrid Electric Propulsion: A DC grid topology combining hydrogen fuel cells as the primary energy source with lithium-ion batteries for supplementary power, enabling efficient energy distribution and load balancing.
- Dual Propulsion Units: Two propulsion units powered by the hybrid system, ensuring redundancy and operational flexibility.
- Operational Efficiency: The system supports low-power and in-port operations, reducing emissions during docking and maneuvering phases.
- Design Considerations: Addressing spatial constraints, weight distribution, and safety protocols associated with hydrogen storage and fuel cell integration.
Outcomes & Next Steps
The project’s outcome is a comprehensive design framework for hydrogen-powered coastal vessels, highlighting:
- Feasibility: Demonstrating the practical integration of hydrogen fuel cells into maritime propulsion systems.
- Scalability: Providing a model adaptable to various vessel sizes and operational profiles.
- Environmental Impact: Contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport.
Future steps include prototyping, testing, and refining the design to meet regulatory standards and operational requirements.