China Classification Society (CCS) has awarded China’s first certificate of type-approval for a marine fuel cell to Wuhan-based PEM fuel-cell supplier Troowin Power System Technology
CCS’ Wuhan branch issued the certificate following more than a year of reviews and on-site tests. Wuhan branch general manager Jia Siqing called it a “significant moment” for the Chinese maritime industry as it works towards a zero-carbon future in line with President Xi Jinping’s announcement to the United Nations in September 2020, that China will reach carbon neutrality by 2060 and ensure its greenhouse gas emissions peak in the next decade.
Mr Siqing said “This certificate is the culmination of many years of work. CCS published its first guidelines on harnessing hydrogen as a commercial marine fuel in 2015 with the guidelines updated in 2017 and 2020. The detailed research found a hydrogen-enabled ship could ultimately be as safe as one powered by conventional fuels such as diesel.”
The next phase of hydrogen development will see CCS undertake a series of real-time tests on a purpose-built bulk carrier of 2,100 dwt. The ship is currently at the design stage but is expected to be powered by four 130-kW hydrogen fuel cells.
Once completed, the ship will be trialled along the Pearl River in Guangdong province, where it will carry operational cargoes. The prime objective of these trials is to test safety procedures. Reinforcing the data from these tests will be feedback from other sectors, such as the Chinese electric automotive sector.
Mr Siquing said a major challenge CCS is looking to tackle during the tests is storing enough hydrogen to take a ship on a deepsea voyage. CCS is researching ways to store hydrogen in large quantities and combine it with other fuel sources to extend its range.
“Since hydrogen is the lightest natural element, more space is needed to store it. We are looking at methods to create hydrogen at sea, such as the use of methanol or ammonia, which can be transported easily and cheaply. But the main focus of our work is carrying enough bulk hydrogen for an entire voyage. We think liquid hydrogen would be a good contender for this. In the meantime, high-pressure gas cylinders would be a reasonable solution.”
CSS Rules & Research Institute in Wuhan’s director Luo Xiaofeng added that low-carbon and hybrid systems are better forms of propulsion for deepsea voyages in the short term.
“We favour new hydrogen systems being installed on brand new ships rather than trying to retrofit an existing fleet. This is primarily for safety, as this can be optimised in the design” he said.
In addition to conducting research on marine hydrogen fuel storage technology, CCS has also jointly carried out research on the application of hydrogen fuel on ships with China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Research included risk assessment, ventilation and fire fighting. The studies evaluated the feasibility, reliability and safety of hydrogen-fuelled ships and provided support for the development of technical regulations.
CCS is further authorised by the China Maritime Safety Administration to research and develop the first domestic technical regulations for ships using hydrogen fuel, which will be released at the end of 2021.
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