Life cycle optimized operation and design of hydrogen powered vessels

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in shipping, new fuel solutions are required. For short distances, battery power is a viable option, while for longer routes, hydrogen offers a promising alternative. However, making hydrogen-powered vessels cost-effective requires reducing their life cycle costs, considering both fuel expenses and the capital expenditure for building and replacing the ship power plant.

A key factor is managing not only immediate fuel costs but also the long-term wear and tear on batteries and fuel cells, which must be addressed in the vessel's control systems and energy management strategy. By optimizing how power loads are shared between fuel cells and batteries, the lifespan of these systems can be extended, leading to significant savings over time.

Given the limited experience with fuel cells in marine applications, we want to improve our understanding of the factors that contribute to their degradation. To this end, we are interested in new modeling and measurement techniques for fuel cells state of health, and to determine how to improve reliability and efficiency in hydrogen-powered shipping.