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Fuel Cell Power Systems for Maritime Applications: Progress and Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Hui Xing

    (Marine Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
    Institute of Green Energy for Ships and Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Charles Stuart

    (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK)

  • Stephen Spence

    (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland)

  • Hua Chen

    (Institute of Green Energy for Ships and Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

Abstract

Fuel cells as clean power sources are very attractive for the maritime sector, which is committed to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas and atmospheric pollutant emissions from ships. This paper presents a technological review on fuel cell power systems for maritime applications from the past two decades. The available fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, renewable methane and methanol for fuel cells under the context of sustainable maritime transportation and their pre-processing technologies are analyzed. Proton exchange membrane, molten carbonate and solid oxide fuel cells are found to be the most promising options for maritime applications, once energy efficiency, power capacity and sensitivity to fuel impurities are considered. The types, layouts and characteristics of fuel cell modules are summarized based on the existing applications in particular industrial or residential sectors. The various research and demonstration projects of fuel cell power systems in the maritime industry are reviewed and the challenges with regard to power capacity, safety, reliability, durability, operability and costs are analyzed. Currently, power capacity, costs and lifetime of the fuel cell stack are the primary barriers. Coupling with batteries, modularization, mass production and optimized operating and control strategies are all important pathways to improve the performance of fuel cell power systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Xing & Charles Stuart & Stephen Spence & Hua Chen, 2021. "Fuel Cell Power Systems for Maritime Applications: Progress and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-34, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1213-:d:486166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hao Jin & Xinhang Yang, 2023. "Bilevel Optimal Sizing and Operation Method of Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid All-Electric Shipboard Microgrid," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Hoang, Anh Tuan & Pandey, Ashok & Martinez De Osés, Francisco Javier & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Said, Zafar & Ng, Kim Hoong & Ağbulut, Ümit & Tarełko, Wiesław & Ölçer, Aykut I. & Nguyen, Xuan Phuong, 2023. "Technological solutions for boosting hydrogen role in decarbonization strategies and net-zero goals of world shipping: Challenges and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    3. Perčić, Maja & Vladimir, Nikola & Jovanović, Ivana & Koričan, Marija, 2022. "Application of fuel cells with zero-carbon fuels in short-sea shipping," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    4. Baccioli, Andrea & Liponi, Angelica & Milewski, Jarosław & Szczęśniak, Arkadiusz & Desideri, Umberto, 2021. "Hybridization of an internal combustion engine with a molten carbonate fuel cell for marine applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    5. Noor H. Jawad & Ali Amer Yahya & Ali R. Al-Shathr & Hussein G. Salih & Khalid T. Rashid & Saad Al-Saadi & Adnan A. AbdulRazak & Issam K. Salih & Adel Zrelli & Qusay F. Alsalhy, 2022. "Fuel Cell Types, Properties of Membrane, and Operating Conditions: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-48, November.
    6. Chiara Dall’Armi & Davide Pivetta & Rodolfo Taccani, 2023. "Hybrid PEM Fuel Cell Power Plants Fuelled by Hydrogen for Improving Sustainability in Shipping: State of the Art and Review on Active Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-34, February.
    7. Mohamad Issa & Adrian Ilinca & Fahed Martini, 2022. "Ship Energy Efficiency and Maritime Sector Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Emissions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-37, October.
    8. Luca Micoli & Roberta Russo & Tommaso Coppola & Andrea Pietra, 2023. "Performance Assessment of the Heat Recovery System of a 12 MW SOFC-Based Generator on Board a Cruise Ship through a 0D Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    9. Mohamed Derbeli & Cristian Napole & Oscar Barambones, 2021. "Machine Learning Approach for Modeling and Control of a Commercial Heliocentris FC50 PEM Fuel Cell System," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(17), pages 1-18, August.
    10. Ahmad Baroutaji & Arun Arjunan & John Robinson & Tabbi Wilberforce & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem & Abdul Ghani Olabi, 2021. "PEMFC Poly-Generation Systems: Developments, Merits, and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    11. Vinicius Andrade dos Santos & Patrícia Pereira da Silva & Luís Manuel Ventura Serrano, 2022. "The Maritime Sector and Its Problematic Decarbonization: A Systematic Review of the Contribution of Alternative Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-30, May.
    12. Calise, Francesco & Cappiello, Francesco Liberato & Cimmino, Luca & Dentice d’Accadia, Massimo & Vicidomini, Maria, 2023. "Renewable smart energy network: A thermoeconomic comparison between conventional lithium-ion batteries and reversible solid oxide fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 74-95.
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    15. Yifan Wang & Laurence A. Wright, 2021. "A Comparative Review of Alternative Fuels for the Maritime Sector: Economic, Technology, and Policy Challenges for Clean Energy Implementation," World, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-26, October.

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