HYDROGEN AS A FUEL FOR SHORT-SEA SHIPPING.PART 1: PRODUCTION, STORAGE, SHIPBOARD ENERGY SYSTEMS AND DEMONSTRATION EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The paper provides a systematic overview of the current state of hydrogen technologies for short-sea shipping, a segment well-suited for the early adoption of hydrogen as a marine fuel. It includes a comparative analysis of different types of fuel cells (PEMFC, SOFC, MCFC) as well as hydrogen internal combustion engines, focusing on their efficiency, dynamics, and applicable use cases. The analysis examines operational vessels such as the MV Sea Change, the MF Hydra, and a 500 kW demonstration vessel, leading to the identification of the industry standard for this segment: a hybrid configuration combining fuel cells and batteries with compressed hydrogen storage.

Additionally, the paper categorizes hydrogen production pathways based on carbon intensity and evaluates onboard storage options using both volumetric and gravimetric metrics. It derives analytical relations for the preliminary sizing of a shipboard hydrogen energy system, including route energy balance, required fuel mass and volume, and hybrid power distribution. Finally, the paper concludes regarding the applicability of these technological configurations for ferry, passenger, and harbor vessels.