Ricardo's Breakthrough in Fuel Cell Technology for Sustainable Hydrogen-Powered Shipping
Key Ideas
- Ricardo's multi-stack fuel cell module achieves 393kW of net electric power, reaching full power within three months of testing.
- The use of Ricardo's virtual engineering toolchain reduces prototyping costs, accelerates development, and enhances understanding of system behaviors.
- The technology allows for a 3MW containerized solution with DC-DC power conversion, scalable to deliver 6MW for powering large ships.
- The project is part of the sHYpS initiative under Horizon Europe, co-funded by the EU and involving a consortium of five European countries.
Ricardo, a British engineering firm, has achieved a significant milestone in hydrogen technology with its multi-stack fuel cell module reaching 393kW of net electric power under the sHYpS project. This breakthrough, backed by Horizon Europe funding, demonstrates the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source in the maritime sector. Utilizing a virtual engineering toolchain, Ricardo was able to accelerate development timelines and enhance system understanding. The scalability of the technology allows for a 3MW containerized solution with efficient power conversion, expandable to 6MW for powering large vessels. The project, involving European consortium members from six countries, highlights the advancements in hydrogen technology and showcases Ricardo's expertise in fuel cell design and engineering. The successful testing and operation of the fuel cell technology within a short timeframe emphasize the viability and efficiency of hydrogen as an alternative energy source in the shipping industry.