The Coastal Liberty offshore supply vessel has started operations in the Wadden Sea offshore the Netherlands with a newly installed green hydrogen energy system.
The refitted vessel attained class certification from DNV at the end of February for the system, engineered by eCap Marine on behalf of Offshore Service Gesellschaft.
Over a two-year period, eCap Marine developed a containerized solution comprising two 200-kW Ballard FCwave fuel cells, a maritime battery system from Lehmann Marine, a fire extinguishing system, tank modules, a custom power management system, and related cooling and safety equipment.
According to the company’s managing director Lars Ravens, this setup is unique on board a seagoing ship. The green hydrogen for the installed fuel cells will be produced locally using offshore wind power on an electrolyzer hydrogen plant a few kilometers from the vessel’s berth.
The electrolyzer is designed for expansion if demand grows.
eCap Marine designed the three swappable high-pressure tank systems in compliance with rules and regulations concerning transport of the units between the vessel and the electrolyzer by truck.
Benefits for the vessel’s crew of the new technology are said to include reduced vibrations on board and a more direct propulsion, enabling immediate response to the propeller shafts.
