Ballard Fuel Cells installs fuel cells on Norled’s liquid hydrogen-powered ferry

Hydra will become the first ferry powered by proton-exchange membrane fuel cells operating on liquid hydrogen when its first sea trials begin in December this year, Norled says.

PHOTO: Norled says the MF Hydra is set to become the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered vessel. Norled

The Hydra ferry is operated by Norwegian shipowner Norled and now equipped with two 200-kilowatt (kW) hybrid module fuel cells from Canadian fuel cells maker Ballard Power Systems.

According to Ballard Power Systems' marine product line manager Thomas Therkild Petersen, the hybrid module "integrates fuel cells with batteries to produce efficient, zero-emission power."

Norled estimates that the the Hydra will be able to “reduce its annual carbon emissions by up to 95%” once green hydrogen is available in 2022.

Liquid green hydrogen to power the fuel cells will be supplied by Linde, which will produce it using proton exchange membrane electrolysers.

By Konica Bhatt

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