[월간수소경제 성재경 기자] Canadian fuel cell company Ballard announced on November 18 (local time) that it has successfully installed fuel cells on Norled’s liquid hydrogen-powered Hydra ferry.
The world’s first ferry powered by a PEM (Polymer Electrolyte) fuel cell powered by liquid hydrogen is scheduled to enter its first test run in December.
The Hydra can accommodate up to 299 passengers and 80 vehicles and will sail the triangle route between Hjelmeland-Skipavik-Nesvik in Norway.
Ballard said the two 200kW FCWave fuel cell modules integrated into the vessel, which have been type-approved by DNV, meet the rigorous safety, functional, design and documentation requirements of the marine.
Thomas Therkild Petersen, Marine Product Manager at Ballard, said: “The FCwave module is a true plug-and-play product and provides an optimal, zero-emissions solution for conventional combustion engines on board ships.”
“It is a high-output adaptive engine with a hybrid electric system, where the fuel cell and battery work together to efficiently provide carbon-free power. With this example, we can help clarify how to reduce the complexity of integrating fuel cell technology.”
Meanwhile, Linde is responsible for supplying Norred with liquid hydrogen for ships. Linde plans to liquefy and supply green hydrogen produced from a 24MW electrolyzer newly built at the Leuna chemical complex in Lower Saxony, Germany.