Development of a fuel cell drive for recreational crafts

This project creates the basis for the development of an alternative drive technology for recreational crafts. The research project is led by Humphry Marine GmbH, which is testing and expanding the prototype of a fuel cell drive system. RLI will support the development with simulations. The drive system will be mapped in the institute’s tools and evaluated with regard to energy requirements and suitability of the drive system. In contrast to conventional combustion engines, fuel cell drive offers the advantage that there are no CO2 emissions, as hydrogen is used as the sole fuel. During the test phase, it will be investigated whether and how fuel cells are suitable for recreational crafts.

In addition to the development and investigation of the fuel cell prototype, a concept for refueling recreational crafts with hydrogen is also developed, including the question of what the infrastructure for refueling would have to look like.

Project duration: 01.10.18 – 30.6.19

• Support in selection and analysis of technically available solutions for a refueling concept
• Estimation of a minimum infrastructure for selected refueling concepts
• Structure of a simulation model of the drive system
• Simulation and evaluation of various scenarios with regard to energy demand and suitability of the drive system