PowerCells’ partner Swiss Hydrogen is developing energy systems for a range of fuel cell applications. The current order placed by Swiss Hydrogen at PowerCell comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes that will be part of a system that is developed and adjusted to the marine environment. The order is a result of the collaboration agreement, which PowerCell signed with Swiss Hydrogen in April 2016.

The ship will be supplied with a system that encompasses on-board production of hydrogen gas from solar electricity, storage of hydrogen gas and two fuel cells each one 30 kW, which amounts to 80 hp in total.

PowerCell has, in the past, had many requests concerning marine applications. However, this is the first time that the company’s PowerCell S3 stacks will be tested together with a partner in a marine environment. The fuel cells will quadruple autonomy.

More countries are demanding fossil-free energy for marine fields of application. The Netherlands has decided to develop fossil-free ferries. Norway, that was an early user of battery operations, is far advanced in establishing fuel cell-powered ships. Over the next few years car ferries, passenger ferries and a fishing boat will be powered by fuel cell technology in Norway.