Hydrogen Watercraft
Hydrogen watercraft are the wave of the future, so
to speak. The fact is, though, that there are
already a few hydrogen watercraft such as boats,
ships and submarines that have already dived into
the market.
Catalina 42 MKII |
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Take for instance a Catalina 42 MKII sailing
yacht, outfitted with the HaveBlue
power system. Most sailing yachts are outfitted
with diesel engines for windless days. But, a
sailing yacht, such as the one pictured, can use
wind, solar or hydroelectric energy plus seawater
to generate hydrogen and run it through either
a hydrogen fuel cell or clean-burning internal
combustion engine to power the boat. With this
kind of hydrogen-generating system, the sailing
yacht does not have to seeking fueling stations
or docks and has an ongoing means of energy replenishment.
The U. S. Navy and German Navy have both put
a couple of hydrogen fuel cell submarines under
the sea. The U. S. was first, rolling out a couple
of rescue submarines in 1977 that took advantage
of the fuel cell's ability to resist malfunction
due to depth, generate 30 kW of power and release
no poisonous gases. The stealth operation, which
is native to the quite fuel cell functionality,
was not even an issue at this time.
HDW Submarine |
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The German's largest shipbuilder, Howaldtswerke
Deutsche Werft (HDW),
however, have designed and are producing a line
of 212A, 213 and 214 hybrid H2 fuel cell submarines.
These air-independent propulsion systems use both
clean diesel and hydrogen for power for stealth
operations and to remain submerged longer. Orders
for the hydrogen fuel cell submarines have already
by placed by the Greek, Italian and South Korean
Navies.
Making waves inland is the Duffy-Herreshoff 30
Fuel Cell Water-Taxi prototype (30- foot, 18-passenger)
that has seen duty in both Newport Beach, California
and San Francisco Bay. The fuel cell commuter
ferry is a collaborative effort between Millennium
Cell, Seaworthy Systems, Duffy Electric Boat and
Anuvu, Inc. The Millennium 3kW Hydrogen on Demand™
system weighs less than 150 pounds and is used
to power a stack of four PEM (Proton Exchange
Membrane) 1.5kW AnuvuPower-XTMPEM fuel cells.
The H2 water-taxi was unveiled during the Maritime
Technology Conference and Exposition in October
2003 in San Francisco.
The Water
Transit Authority has been awarded $2.5 million
in federal funds to build the first commercial
hydrogen fuel cell commuter ferry. The 79-foot
double-decker ferry will be able to carry 149
passengers and will make its runs between San
Francisco and Treasure Island.
The public may not yet be able to water ski under
hydrogen power and jump waves in their personal
watercraft using H2 technology, but the time is
not that far off in the future. The wave of hydrogen
watercraft is picking up momentum. Will you dive
under it or will you be ready to ride the tide?
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