Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Ferry For Bay Area, Electric Ferry In Norway

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are beginning to hit California roads in small numbers, and soon one or more will be traversing its waters too.

Sandia National Laboratories and the Red and White Fleet ferry company plan to operate a "high-speed" hydrogen fuel-cell ferry boat in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The project will also require the world's largest hydrogen fueling station, the partners say.

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Called the SF BREEZE--for "San Francisco Bay Renewable Energy Electric vessel with Zero Emissions"--the boat will be purpose built, rather than converted from an existing vessel.

It was determined that modifying an existing passenger ferry would not be practical.

The fuel cells and hydrogen storage tanks that will be used will be heavier than a comparable internal-combustion propulsion system, so one of the project's goals will be to create a suitable design to accommodate them.

The boat will also be fast--all the better to compete with cars, public transportation, and other ferries.

Funding for a feasibility study will be furnished by the U.S. Maritime Administration, while naval architecture firm Elliot Bay Design Group will design the vessel, with input from the U.S. Coast Guard and Bureau of Ships.

All of the entities involved believe fuel cells have a place on the waves.

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They claim fuel-cell ships will not only reduce air pollution, but also lessen the risk of environmental contamination from fuel spills.

Of course, like fuel cell cars, a fuel-cell ferry will need a source of hydrogen.

The SF BREEZE will consume an estimated 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) of hydrogen per day, and will be supported by a station that can dispense 1,500 kilograms (3,306 pounds) per day.

That will make this station about twice the size of the current largest hydrogen fueling station in the world, officials say. It will also be the first of its kind to support both land and marine use.

Program backers hope the economy of scale from dispensing such large amounts of hydrogen will lower overall prices on the local market, too.

Once an initial feasibility study is completed, design and construction of the ferry boat and fueling station will start.

The parties involved did not discuss a timeline for the launch of hydrogen-powered ferry service, but noted that they will need to secure additional funding for it to proceed.

Source: Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Ferry For Bay Area, Electric Ferry In Norway