Ricardo and sHYpS consortium collaborate on hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger ships

Strategic, environmental and engineering consultancy Ricardo has announced it is working with the sustainable HYdrogen powered Shipping consortium (sHYpS) on the design and development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems to power zero-emission passenger vessels, while also supporting long-term decarbonization targets within the maritime sector.

The project – which involves 13 partners in six European countries – aims to boost the uptake of clean and renewable hydrogen fuel within the maritime sector. To contribute toward this goal, Ricardo will take the lead on the specification, design, build and test of a 375kW fuel cell module and design a 40ft containerized multi-megawatt power plant which combines several fuel cell module outputs – a solution designed for installation onto passenger vessels.

Ricardo will develop a customized, high-power, optimized multi-stack fuel cell system which delivers enhanced power density by volume and mass – a key aspect due to the constraints of a passenger ship – and will engage with consortium member Lloyd’s Register on the system’s classification. The first module will be tested in Ricardo’s new 400kW hydrogen fuel cell test chamber at its UK headquarters.

All of sHYpS’s work to date has been funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee.

“The shipping industry is facing considerable challenges to find a solution to achieve zero-emissions navigation in line with future global regulatory targets,” Adrian Schaffer, president of emerging mobility at Ricardo.

“This project is at the forefront of innovation, with the prospect of using hydrogen fuel cell technology to support the industry meeting its sustainability objectives. We’re delighted to be part of the consortium creating and delivering innovation in this sector.

“Our involvement recognizes our growing expertise and experience in hydrogen and fuel cell technology, where we are working with a range of customers to provide clean, efficient solutions, which reduce carbon and emissions across several sectors, including automotive and aerospace.”

“I congratulate Ricardo for their success in Horizon Europe and look forward to seeing the outcomes of the important work that sHYpS is doing,” said Mike Biddle, executive director for net zero at Innovate UK, part of UKRI. “I encourage anyone else who is considering applying to Horizon Europe to go for it. As Ricardo did, they can draw on UKRI guarantee funding while the UK awaits formal association to the EU program and get advice and guidance from the network of UK Horizon Europe National Contact Points.”