Fuel Cell Technology - It's on the way...

Welcome to the future in powering the next generation of yachts
by Richard Kastelein

Red text is linked to websites as are logos.

There are a number of reasons why we could see the emergence of Fuel Cell Technology (FCT) affecting the marine industry - and interestingly enough - it will most likely be wedged in from from the consumer and government demographics, and not from industry. Amongst government pencil pushers there is an increasing concern for more legislation to reduce marine based harbour pollution. And since the marine industry has a history of being early adopters of new technologies (see GPS systems), it may be the low hanging fruit for the next generation of boatbuilders.

There is strong lobbying in the middle to high-end luxury cruising market to create electric only bodies of water - which is also a force.

Hydrogen: it’s the fuel of the future.

Not only does it reduces our dependency on fossil fuels - which are priced sky high and not looking to come down with huge increases in demand from China and India for oil - it also eliminates pollution and has within it the power to protect our planet’s air, oceans, and inland waters.

The revolutionary hydrogen-based power and propulsion systems being developed today will provide tomorrow’s yachtsmen with a clean-energy alternative that delivers benefits far beyond the reach of traditional internal combustion engines.

But, like any new technology that relies on a large distribution network, fuel cells have always been plagued with the “where do I fuel up?” factor and pricing.

This problem may very well be conquered in the near future as crude prices continue to rise and boaters are forced to alternatives - therefore marine 'gas stations' will start stocking hydrogen, methanol, alcohol and other choices.



HaveBlue (USA), are working not only on fuel cells but also employing an onboard hydrogen production system for power provision when the tanks are empty.

This hydrogen comes from either shore based power, or onboard wind / solar system. So far their prototype, XV1 sailboat demonstrator, has been launched and went through extensive trials during 2005. The current 2005 cost of the fuel cell and fuel production system is, according to HaveBlue, US$300,000 - $500,000, making it currently impractical for most purposes... but it is predicted to be substantially be reduced over the next six years. Commercial models are expected in 2006. HaveBlue’s current fuel cell is a Hydrogenics 10kW HyPM PEM unit from Ovonic Hydrogen .




Marine Fuel Cells (MFC) from Max Power are in interesting new addition to the market. They are popular in Germany and distributed by the all-powerful Plastimo marine network. They are ecologically friendly and certainly have the capacity to cut into the fossil fuel trade. And more importantly, the fuel cartridges are being distributed through Plastimo's networks and are expected to soon be available at most marine petrol stations in the near future - most likely in Europe.



It’s still a bit pricey at US$10 per day (a cartridge costs US$30.00 and lasts three days) to run the MFG - it is a competitive player and provides clean power. Having said that, the rising cost of fuel (petrol is over US$6 a gallon in the Netherlands) will certainly add to the attraction of the MFC.

There are no moving parts and its byproduct is simply a small quantity of carbon dioxide, a bit of pure water & some heat. And Unlike other types of fuel cells (like generic Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells) which require pure hydrogen as a fuel, methanol-based fuel cells enable this electrochemical process without the need to reform complex hydrocarbon fuel molecules (including methanol) into pure hydrogen.

What is a MFC you ask?



An MFC is a device that converts the chemical energy of a methanol and an oxidant (air or oxygen) into electricity. In principle, a fuel cell operates like a battery. However, unlike a battery however, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce electricity and heat as long as methanol and an oxidizer are supplied.

An MFC can supply power for all 12v on board equipment providing power while in an idyllic anchorage or on a long passage in total silence for the ever-increasing list of 12v equipment; electronics, refrigerators, microwaves, inverters and even water makers all of which are being fitted to sailing and power yachts.

The MFC can deliver 100 amps per day of clean 12v DC power. The unit is compact and easy to use… and installation is rapid with no need for insulation, wet exhausts or cooling water inlets.

“But 100 amps per day isn't 2 kilowatts!!”

You’re right it is not, it's 50 watts, but your 2 kilowatts genset is only running for 2 hours every 24 hours at the most. So that's already only 166 watts in 24 hour terms. Then add to that the 220v to 12v battery charger efficiency (about 50%) further reduces that to 83 watts in 12v fuel cell terms. Then you have the charge efficiency to include in your calculation.

Capable of running 24 hours a day, the fuel cell continually supplies power as needed. This "constant power" approach reduces the charge/discharge cycles imposed on house batteries, thereby significantly increasing their service life. Its power output therefore needs to be considered over a 24 hour period. This is a revolution in yacht power management as up until now yachts needed to store power generated in a short period for use over the day.

Power from the main engine, a generator, or shore power were the only dependable power source a yacht had. None of these could run 24 hours day and all had a high nuisance factor. A fuel cell is producing power constantly 24 hours a day and the yacht is consuming power 24 hours a day. This means that your battery bank is only there to supply, momentary surges in power consumption & stock excess fuel cell power for future momentary surges. In a word - you never really discharge your batteries, they are constantly held at between 70-85 per cent of their full charge. Most of the time equipment such as the fridge and electronics or autopilot are in effect being powered directly through the fuel cell.



MTU and Ballard were first to develop and build a yacht worldwide with a certified (German Lloyd) fuel cell propulsion system. "No 1", as the boat has been called, is completely emission and noise-free and the nautical propulsion system is completely environmentally friendly. This is particularly significant for Lake Constance, where the boat is based as its the largest drinking water reservoir in Europe and supplies water to millions of people.

For those that are serious about utilising fuel cell technology in a big way on larger yachts - Ballard of British Columbia are global leaders in proving larger scale solutions (cars, trucks and busses) starting at one KW. Ballard also supplies the fuel cell modules for the Mercedes Benz A-Class fuel cell vehicles. In terms of integrating hydrogen fuel cells as mean of power for a boat - Ballard already has the solution. See the Ballard presentation by clicking here.


Other links...



The Hydrogenics HyPM fuel cell power module establishes the benchmark in commercialized multi-kilowatt fuel cell power modules. The versatile HyPM has been recognized as a superior packaged fuel cell power solution by world leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators and is well-suited for today's early adopting markets over a wide range of applications.

HyPM's versatility is highlighted by its outstanding performance either as a standalone power generator or as a primary component in a hybrid configuration when combined with electrical storage devices such as batteries or ultracapacitors.



Millennium Cell specialised in hydrogen battery technology for portable devices - in both the military and industrial sectors. Portable electronic devices used in the military, medical, industrial and consumer markets all require a better battery. To meet this challenge, Millennium Cell is developing hydrogen battery technology in partnership with corporate and government entities. Based in Eatontown, New Jersey, Millennium Cell employs 40 people, primarily in technology development.




I think a marine adaptation of Plug Power's GenSys™ would be very interesting... it's combined heat and power fuel cell systems are designed to generate continuous, clean, efficient and reliable power on-site. Operating in parallel with the normal land-based grid, GenSys systems convert readily available fuels into electricity and heat for stationary applications.



Every link you will ever need for fuel cell technology is likely found by clicking here or on the Fuel Cell Today logo above.

So what is a fuel cell anyway?

A ‘Fuel Cell’ is a device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (hydrogen, natural gas, methanol, gasoline, etc.) and an oxidant (air or oxygen) into electricity.

In principle, a fuel cell operates like a battery. Unlike a battery however, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce electricity and heat as long as fuel and an oxidizer are supplied.

Both batteries and fuel cells are electrochemical devices. As such both have a positively charged anode and a negatively charged cathode and an ion-conducting material called an electrolyte. Fuel cells are classified by their electrolyte material. Electrochemical devices generate electricity without combustion of the fuel and oxidizer, as opposed to what occurs with traditional methods of electricity generation.

Fuel cell construction generally consists of a fuel electrode (anode) and an oxidant electrode (cathode) separated by an ion-conducting membrane. Oxygen passes over one electrode, and hydrogen over the other, generating electricity, water and heat. Fuel cells chemically combine the molecules of a fuel and oxidizer without burning or having to dispense with the inefficiencies and pollution of traditional combustion.

Fuel Cell Functionality

Fuel cells generate electricity from a simple electrochemical reaction in which an oxidizer, typically oxygen from air, and a fuel, typically hydrogen, combine to form a product, which is water for the typical fuel cell. Oxygen (air) continuously passes over the cathode and hydrogen passes over the anode to generate electricity, by-product heat and water. The fuel cell itself has no moving parts – making it a quiet and reliable source of power.

Fuel Cells vs. Traditional Electricity Methods

In traditional methods of generating electricity, the fuel and air are burned, generating a high-temperature gas. In the case of a coal-burning power plant, heat is transferred from this hot gas to high pressure liquid water that is boiled. In the case of a gasoline, diesel or gas turbine engine, the hot gas itself is at high pressure. The high-pressure steam, or hot gas, is expanded in a mechanical device (e.g., cylinder, turbine) and ultimately turns an electrical generator.

In a fuel cell, the same basic chemical reactions occur, but generate electricity directly as an electrochemical device and therefore, never goes through the step of being a high-temperature gas through normal burning. This direct conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy is more efficient and generates much less pollutants than traditional methods that rely on combustion.

Which is Better?

As mentioned above, the direct conversion of fuel and air to electricity is much more efficient than internal combustion engines and other methods of generating electricity. Therefore, fuel cells can generate more electricity from the same amount of fuel.

Furthermore, by skipping the combustion process that occurs in traditional power-generating methods, the generation of pollutants during the combustion process is avoided. Some of the pollutants that are significantly lower for fuel cells are oxides of nitrogen and unburned hydrocarbons, (which together cause ground-level ozone), and carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas).

Richard Kastelein
Avante Yachts LTDA