A Swedish car carrier now sailing from Germany to the United States is the world's first ship with auxiliary power provided by a fuel cell.
While fuel cells can't propel ships -- yet -- Wallenius Lines' M/V Undine features a 20 kilowatt methanol-fueled Wärtsilä WFC20 solid oxide fuel cell auxiliary power unit. The unit provides power when the ship is in port, eliminating the need for batteries and generators to run onboard navigation equipment, radios and creature comforts.
If the solid oxide fuel cell sounds familiar, perhaps that's because its the power source behind the much-hyped Bloom Box. Like the Bloom Box, the Wärtsilä SOFC operates at temperatures exceeding 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also like the Bloom Box, the unit on the *Undine *didn't come cheap: the EU contributed about $1.25 million to the consortium of researchers and maritime magnates known as METHAPU that created the ship's high-tech, low-emissions auxiliary power unit.
Despite its relatively low flashpoint of 54 degrees Fahrenheit and toxicity if inhaled or absorbed through skin, Wärtsilä engineers defended the use of methanol to fuel their APU back in 2008 when they first designed a fuel cell around it. They cited the use of ventilation systems and gas detectors as adequate protection.
According to Wärtsilä, the group still chose methanol to power the fuel cell because it's available in all major harbors and can be produced from natural gas or gasified biomass. While engineering challenges and high cost mean we probably won't see fuel cells on every ship at sea in the near future, they're certainly on the horizon.
"The development of sustainable sea transportation is a long term target and one that Wallenius Marine is strongly committed to," said Wallenius President Per Croner.
In addition to Wärtsilä and Wallenius, other players in METHAPU include the University of Genoa and classification societies Lloyd's Register and Det Norske Veritas.
Photos: Wärtsilä
The auxiliary power unit on the M/V Undine features a 20 kilowatt methanol-fueled solid oxide fuel cell auxiliary power unit.
