Navigating Clean Seas: European Consortium Develops Liquid Hydrogen-Powered SOV for Offshore Wind Farms
Key Ideas
  • A new European project, NAVHYS, led by ArianeGroup aims to develop a zero-emission service operation vessel (SOV) powered by liquid hydrogen for maritime transport.
  • The project involves 11 partners from various fields working on below-deck LH2 storage and fuel system integration into an SOV designed by VARD for North Star.
  • This initiative, supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and co-funded by the EU, contributes to advancing clean hydrogen technology and decarbonizing the maritime sector.
  • Liquid hydrogen is highlighted for its energy density and potential in long-distance shipping, presenting a technological challenge that NAVHYS seeks to address through innovative solutions.
A new project in Europe, named NAVHYS, is taking significant steps towards the development of a liquid hydrogen-fueled service operation vessel (SOV) for maritime transport. Led by ArianeGroup, the consortium aims to address the challenges associated with storing and using liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier for offshore wind farms. The project involves 11 partners from diverse industries collaborating to develop and test the below-deck LH2 storage and fuel system over the next three years. The ultimate goal is to integrate this system into a zero-emission SOV designed by VARD for North Star. Marie-Sophie Nizou, the Program Manager at ArianeGroup and Coordinator of NAVHYS, emphasizes the potential of hydrogen as a promising energy carrier for shipping, especially in long-distance journeys due to its energy density. Liquid hydrogen offers advantages over gaseous hydrogen for such applications, but it requires advanced storage solutions capable of maintaining extremely low temperatures. The project will leverage expertise from ArianeGroup to overcome these technological challenges. Partners in the NAVHYS project include companies like ENGIE, Ineris, Research Institutes of Sweden, and University of Birmingham, each contributing expertise in different aspects such as supply chain, safety, and technology scale-up. The initiative is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the European Union, reflecting a commitment to promoting clean hydrogen technology and accelerating the decarbonization of the maritime sector. Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, commended the NAVHYS project for its alignment with the organization's mission of driving energy transition and promoting European competitiveness through innovative solutions. The integration of liquid hydrogen tanks in maritime applications is seen as a crucial step towards decarbonization and maintaining Europe's leadership in clean energy technology. The NAVHYS project represents a significant advancement in the exploration and application of liquid hydrogen for sustainable maritime operations. By focusing on overcoming technological barriers and promoting clean energy solutions, this initiative paves the way for a more sustainable future in the maritime industry.
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