The first hydrogen fuel-cell ship "Sea Change" began to put into operation in the San Francisco bay, California.
"Sea Change" 70 feet long and can carry 75 passengers, use of zero-emission hydrogen fuel battery power, high speed of 22 miles per hour, the Washington shipbuilders All American Marine (AAM) to build, shipowners to SWITCH Maritime. At present, the two companies have launched a "Sea Change" operating test, which marked the maritime industry an important step to the transformation of sustainable future.
"Sea Change" is equipped with Zero Emissions Industries (the former Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine) provided by the hydrogen fuel cell power group, by a 360 kilowatt Cummins (Cummins), fuel cell and capacity of 246 kg of Hexagon of hydrogen storage. The system integrates XALT provide 100 KWH lithium-ion battery, and BAE Systems, two 300 kw electric propulsion system.
Compared with diesel engine, the hydrogen fuel cell power system can provide the same operating flexibility, zero emissions and less maintenance. "Sea Change" by Incat Crowther is responsible for the design, Hornblower Group is responsible for the supervision of construction work.
For ship decarburization, fuel cell is an attractive solution. First of all, the fuel cell system zero emissions, mute and extensible; In addition, the system arrangement has flexibility, due to the energy of the fuel cell through the cable transmission, fuel cells can be placed almost anywhere in the ship. In a "Sea Change", the fuel cell in the a cabin at the back of the main chamber, and hydrogen storage is located in the top deck.
"Sea Change" project in part by a grant from the California air resources board (by bay area air quality administrative zones) of $3 million grant. In addition, the project also won the bay area air quality administrative zone climate technology the first loan guarantees, financing plan to support the SWITCH for key bank (KeyBank) offering a $5 million loan, which made the SWITCH to complete this important project.
AAM and the SWITCH said development and build a "Sea Change" is to show the zero discharge of hydrogen fuel cell technology commercialization of way of the ship. Although the Marine hydrogen fuel system are still searching for approval of the us coast guard, but the ship has completed the ferry will show zero discharge of ship propulsion technology of business and the feasibility of regulators.
It is understood that the SWITCH is an influential investment platform, to create a complete zero emissions of maritime shipping, to speed up the process of decarbonization American maritime industry and energy transformation. Using the technology to build the "Sea Change" use of rich experience, the SWITCH hope cooperate with existing ferry ship owners and operators all over the United States, to help them adopt zero carbon to replace the old diesel boat of the ship
SWITCH co-founder and chief executive of Pace Ralli remarked: "with the us coast guard, innovative technology partner and AMM shipyard in close cooperation, we can achieve today's transition into decarbonised shipping."
AMM, President and chief operating officer Ron Wille said: "the hydrogen fuel cell technology will prove to be a powerful alternative to the traditional power system technology."
