ClassNK has given the green light to a new 300-kW maritime hydrogen fuel cell developed by Yanmar Power Technology
The class society has issued an approval in principle (AiP) to the Japanese manufacturer for the zero-emissions technology.
Yanmar’s maritime hydrogen fuel-cell system is designed with key auxiliary components such as gas valve units integrated within the system enclosure, aimed to facilitate easy installation on ships. Since the system allows for parallel connection of multiple units and adjustments to the number of hydrogen fuel-cell modules, it is scalable to various ship power output requirements.
Widely used in land-based transport, hydrogen fuel cells are in their earliest stages of testing and application in shipping, including new solutions using ammonia cracking technology. Proponents of the technology see it as a potential replacement for the internal combustion engine to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But further development of international safety requirements for its wider application need to be addressed.
Based on IMO’s interim guidelines and relevant IEC standards, ClassNK has issued Guidelines for Fuel Cell Power Systems on Board Ships (Second Edition), specifying the safety requirements for the design of ships using fuel cell power installations and the systems themselves to promote and expand the use of fuel cells in ships.
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