Classification society Bureau Veritas (“BV”) has awarded Approval in Principle (“AiP”) to Genevos for their newly launched 250 kW Hydrogen Power Module (“HPM-250”) marine fuel cell. The HPM-250, deployed to meet the growing demands of zero emission coastal and offshore vessels, is on track to secure Type Approval in 2025.

23.05.2024

Genevos, a leader in the integration and certification of hydrogen fuel cell power systems in the maritime sector, has reached a new milestone in their development strategy with the launch of a next-generation marine fuel cell, the HPM-250. This high-power solution has been developed in response to the increasing availability of green hydrogen, the strong advances in emissions regulations, and the building environmental pressure to reduce underwater noise for the protection of marine life.

2 MW marine fuel cell power system integration of Genevos HPM-250

2 MW marine fuel cell power system integration of Genevos HPM-250

The AiP awarded by BV confirms that Genevos are on course for achieving Type Approval in 2025 for the 250 kW power system, enabling clients to benefit from a fully-integrated and validated marine certified system:  a plug-and-play solution made safe and simple for integrators and OEMs. This modular drop-in solution offers high scalability and redundancy, whilst operating with no vibration, reducing maintenance requirements and conforming to zero emission regulations.

The energy intensive and long offshore operational times demanded by cargo ships, offshore workboats, and coastal ferries contribute significantly to the footprint of the maritime sector. As a confirmed supplier for several flagship projects including offshore service vessels, high-speed passenger vessels, and fishing vessels, Genevos is playing a key role in demonstrating how marine fuel cells can significantly reduce the impact of commercial operations across the maritime sector.

H2-SEAS Consortium co-funded by the European Commission and EU Horizons

Genevos HPM-250: modular 250 kW marine fuel cell power system

Hydrogen has been identified as a key fuel to decarbonise commercial vessels that can benefit from long-range and high energy storage capabilities, whilst avoiding weight penalties and consequential impacts on performance and energy efficiency.

With many new large-scale green hydrogen production projects underway, availability of this sustainable fuel is forecast to increase sharply from 2025, offering access in particular around ports where hydrogen and hydrogen-based e-fuels will be produced, exported or imported.

The HPM-250 responds directly to fleet requirements of emissions reduction and high reliability by offering a modular, scalable solution for vessels. For longer-range, deep-sea applications, the power module is compatible with methanol and other e-fuel reformers capable of outputting purified hydrogen gas, whilst offering power conversion at higher efficiencies than combustion, thereby reducing operational costs in addition to the environmental benefits of reduced emissions, vibration and underwater noise.

Phil Sharp, CTO and cofounder of Genevos commented: “This high power, next-generation fuel cell launch is key to our development roadmap to make clean hydrogen propulsion accessible to commercial and leisure craft. This follows-on from the successful delivery of our 40 kW and 80 kW fuel cell power modules that will shortly be entering service through recently-launched vessels.

“Achieving AiP ensures that we are on the right track towards achieving a fully-certified product for the deployment on energy intensive hydrogen vessels, accelerating the next wave of high power, zero emission vessels to reduce the significant environmental impact of the maritime sector.”