The test boat for the hydrogen fuel cell system

News - 6 June 2018 12:00

Yanmar Trials New Energy Source in Japan

In Japan, YANMAR Co., Ltd. has participated in a test of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered boat, under the auspices of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The aim of the research project is to draft guidelines for safety of hydrogen fuel cell-powered boats. The combination of hydrogen energy and fuel cells is a promising technology for use as a new, electrical power source for electric motors propelling vessels and vehicles, and as a source of heat and electricity for buildings.

New, zero-emission energy source

Hydrogen is a new source of energy and is considered as a high efficiency, low polluting fuel. Besides, it is abundantly available. One way to produce energy from hydrogen is to directly convert the chemical energy within hydrogen to electricity using electrochemical fuel cells. The only byproducts are pure water and heat, producing zero emission.

NASA

Currently, hydrogen energy is still quite innovative: it is mainly used as a fuel in the NASA space program to propel space shuttle and other rockets, while hydrogen fuel cells power the electrical systems of the shuttle. The hydrogen fuel cell is also used to produce pure water for the shuttle crew.

Field tests to confirm safety

As part of a consortium, YANMAR supported the development of the draft guidelines for safety of hydrogen fuel cell-powered boats. In the final phase of the three-year plan, the consortium carried out a field test using a 60 kW hydrogen fuel cell system and successfully verified the safety requirements for the hydrogen fuel cell system.

The design of the hydrogen fuel cell system

Fuel system tech talk

The 60 kW maritime fuel cell system prototype has been developed through collaboration between YANMAR and Toyota Tsusho with modules from Ballard Power Systems Inc. of Canada. The fuel cell system was installed on the test boat provided by the National Maritime Research Institute (Japan) with a lithium-ion battery system developed by Uzushio Electric Co., Ltd. The test verified the safety requirements for both the hydrogen fuel cell system and the lithium-ion battery system.

Continued research and development

In line with our mission for a sustainable future, YANMAR is obviously very excited about the results and we will continue research and development towards refining the capabilities of the maritime fuel cell system for the use on hydrogen fuel cell-powered boats. What could be a potential market for hydrogen fuel cell-powered boats? As tour boats, for example, operating in urban waterways. As a member of the maritime cluster, YANMAR will continue to cooperate with government, industry and academia on development of hydrogen fuel cell-powered boats and ships.

Control screens for the hydrogen fuel cell system

Test Boat – Key Specifications

Name: Shimpo
Material: fibre reinforced plastic (FRP)
Gross tonnage: 17 tons
Centreline length: 16.5 meters
Test area: a radius of 4 nautical miles around Kushihana, Innoshima, Shigei-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Maximum speed at full load: 11.5 knots (9.0 knots at electric propulsion)
Fuel cell system: polymer electrolyte fuel cell system (Yanmar) 60 kW x 1
Secondary Battery System: Lithium-ion Battery system (Uzushio Electric Co., Ltd.) 60 kWh

Propulsion motor: IPM motor 50 kW x 2
Inspection organisation: Japan Craft Inspection Organization

Topics

Categories

Yanmar Delivers Dual-Fuel Tugboat Propulsion Engines

Yanmar has delivered two 6EY26DF dual-fuel commercial marine engines with the ability to use both heavy fuel oil (HFO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel for tugboat. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) will take delivery of the vessels once construction is completed in February 2019 with the tugboat expected to commence operation in April 2019.

A bunker tanker operated by Sinanju Tanker Holdings*1(Photo credit: Sinanju Tanker Holdings)

28 September 2018 02:00

Yanmar Receives Order for Dual Fuel Engines

Yanmar has obtained an order for two 6EY26DF dual fuel engines as the main propulsion engines for a bunker tanker being built by Keppel Offshore & Marine. The vesssel will be Singapore’s first dual-fuel powered bunker tanker running on LNG and marine gas oil. The engines, as well as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel supply system, will be delivered for installation in January 2019.

Yanmar's eFuzion concept unveiled at bauma2019

10 April 2019 12:11

Yanmar Unveils its Exciting New eFuzion Concept at bauma

At this year’s bauma, Japanese manufacturer Yanmar is presenting an original new concept vehicle to the public for the first time. Packed with innovative technology, the eFuzion concept demonstrates the depth and breadth of Yanmar’s global R&D, investing efforts in developing and implementing innovative technologies to inspire creativity and unleash future possibilities.

18 October 2016 12:00

Rice Husk Biomass Power Generation Pilot Program in Myanmar

Yanmar is engaged in a pilot program to generate electricity from biogas derived from rice husks. The aim is to provide electricity to run the rice mills, while using the waste heat from the cogeneration system to dry the chaff. The residues from rice husks left over from burning the chaff contain fertilizer nutrients which can be returned to the farmland to help recycling-oriented agriculture.

30 May 2018 12:00

3JH40 inboard engine wins Innovation Award at 2018 Miami Boat Show

The Yanmar 3JH40 marine diesel engine has won the 2018 Innovation Award in the inboard engine category at the Miami Boat Show. The innovative and compact 3-cylinder common rail engine with an output of 40Hp, makes the latest electronically-managed CR fuel-injection technology available to a whole new category of small leisure boat and commercial vessel owners.

Yanmar subsidiary RMB manufactures highly efficient combined heat and power generators.

6 January 2020 08:00

Efficient Generation for Sustainable Power

A move away from traditional coal and nuclear energy has created significant opportunities for combined heat and power generation (CHP). Companies such as Yanmar are providing low carbon solutions that are becoming an increasing part of the energy mix.

10 April 2017 12:00

From Waste Cooking Oil To Power & The Possibilities Of Bio Diesel

Yanmar has been developing and trialing a waste vegetable oil powered bio diesel co-generation system (CHP) since 2011, towards the implementation of a resource recycling model for society. Waste cooking oil is collected at local supermarkets and processed into fuel for combine heat and power generator systems.

Yanmar's auto-docking and auto-navigation technology allows safe and accurate marine navigation.

2 June 2020 08:00

Yanmar Develops Autonomous Technologies for Maritime Work

With maritime robotics technologies progressing rapidly, since 2017 with the Robotic Boat, an unmanned maritime vessel, Yanmar has been working on the deployment of auto-navigation and automatic docking systems. Yanmar’s maritime robotics technology aims to ease labor shortages in the fisheries start and ensure safe working marine environments.