UC San Diego's Hydrogen-Hybrid Vessel Revolutionizes Coastal Research
Key Ideas
- UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography seeks proposals for a hydrogen-hybrid coastal research vessel, using hydrogen power for 75% of operations.
- The vessel, approved by the American Bureau of Shipping, will replace the aging research vessel and focus on marine research areas like harmful algal blooms and sea-level rise.
- California allocated $35 million for the construction, which will include advanced scientific equipment and support up to 45 researchers for day trips.
- The innovative hydrogen-hybrid propulsion system was developed through a collaborative study involving Sandia National Laboratories, Glosten, and Scripps, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is looking to advance marine research with a hydrogen-hybrid coastal class research vessel (CCRV). This vessel, designed by Glosten, will utilize hydrogen power for 75% of its operations, along with diesel-electric generators for extended missions. The vessel gained approval for its preliminary design from the American Bureau of Shipping, indicating a significant step towards its construction. With California's allocation of $35 million for the project, the CCRV aims to replace the long-serving research vessel Robert Gordon Sproul. Scripps plans for the vessel to be equipped with state-of-the-art scientific tools such as acoustic Doppler current profilers, seafloor mapping systems, and drone support, focusing on research areas like harmful algal blooms and sea-level rise. The hydrogen-hybrid propulsion system, a product of collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories, Glosten, and Scripps, was conceptualized in a 2020 feasibility study, demonstrating a commitment to innovative and sustainable maritime technology. This vessel is expected to not only support day trips for up to 45 individuals but also provide research opportunities through the UC Ship Funds Program, showcasing a multi-faceted approach towards advancing marine science.