Hydrogen Vessel Feasibility Studies at Sandia National Laboratories

For the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology on ships. Consequently, Sandia National Laboratories examined the feasibility of several hydrogen fuel-cell vessels. The first study was a ferry named the San Francisco Bay Area Renewable Energy Electric Vessel with Zero Emissions, or more concisely, the SF-BREEZE, a conceptual high-speed hydrogen fuel-cell ferry designed for commercial use in the San Francisco Bay. The SF-BREEZE design combines renewable liquid hydrogen (LH₂), proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology, and a catamaran hull design to provide high-speed ferry service for 150 passengers at 35-knot top speed. The next study involved the hydrogen-powered coastal research vessel Zero-V. The Zero-V requires two large LH₂ tanks—10,900 kg total consumable capacity—because of the considerable distance of 2,400 nautical miles that the research vessel must travel before refueling. Lastly, Sandia tested the H₂ Hybrid Sproul Replacement Vessel (SRV). The H₂ Hybrid has a total of 800 kW of installed hydrogen fuel-cell power. This hydrogen fuel-cell system is in addition to the 1185 kW diesel generator plant. It was found that the H₂ Hybrid provided much superior performance—better zero-emissions range and emissions benefits—than a Li-ion battery hybrid vessel due to the higher volumetric energy storage density of the LH₂/fuel cell combination. The Sandia hydrogen vessel feasibility studies affirmatively answered many feasibility questions including whether hydrogen vessels were up to the task in the areas of speed, range, passenger capacity, and feasibility in fueling sites and provision.

• Record URL:
  https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/Proceedings%20Magazine/Archive/2022/Vol79_No2_Fall22.pdf?ver=mOsPihnldMl7pQSZFDnifw%3d%3d
• Authors:
  • Klebanoff, Leonard E
• Publication Date: 2022

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 46-51
• Serial:
  • Coast Guard Journal of Safety & Security at Sea, Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council
  • Volume: 79
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: U.S. Coast Guard
  • Serial URL: http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Feasibility analysis; Fuel cell vehicles; Greenhouse gases; Hydrogen fuels; Ships; Vehicle performance
• Identifier Terms: Sandia National Laboratories
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01871239
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 24 2023 9:30AM