The new 75-passenger ferry, called the Sea Change, received hydrogen into its 242 kg tanks on the upper deck. It uses hydrogen in fuel cells, producing electricity to power electric motors for distances up to 300 nautical miles, and speeds up to 20 knots – similar capabilities as diesel-powered vessels – with the added benefits of zero exhaust smoke or other emissions and very little vibration and noise.
The fuel loaded in the vessel’s tanks includes green hydrogen, produced in California, US, by an electrolyser powered with renewable solar power, which results in zero carbon emissions in the production of the fuel as well.
The fuelling follows the regulatory approval in October 2021 by the US Coast Guard (USCG) of the hydrogen powertrain and storage systems onboard the Sea Change, representing the culmination of years of cooperation with the USCG focused on safely integrating hydrogen power and storage systems on passenger vessels. The achievement of this milestone unlocks the possibility of many future deployments of similar hydrogen power systems on all vessel types – including ocean-going containerships.
Zero Emission Industries (ZEI), formerly Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine, is responsible for the design and development of the maritime hydrogen and fuel cell system, as well as the vessel’s fuelling system that allows it to be fuelled directly from a hydrogen truck, and was responsible for the successful regulatory approvals of all hydrogen-related aspects onboard. ZEI is a hydrogen technology company that develops and sells turnkey hydrogen power systems, advanced fuel cell balance of plant sub-systems, fuelling systems, and proprietary safety systems, for a range of applications.
For the fuelling during sea trials, SWITCH Maritime has engaged West Coast Clean Fuels (WCCF) to develop and permit the end-to-end clean fuel supply chains that will deliver hydrogen to the Sea Change, as well as BayoTech, for high-pressure gaseous hydrogen delivery to Sea Change during sea trials in Washington, US, using transport trailer-to-ship transfer.
