Sailing on green hydrogen

If you can drive on hydrogen, why can’t we sail on it too? Green hydrogen is clean and provides a good operating range. In short: hydrogen could be the solution to making shipping sustainable.

Goeree-Overflakkee has a strongly developed maritime sector. The Shipping project explores how green hydrogen can enable fishing vessels to sail without CO₂ emissions. The Stellendam cutters use the space on board as efficiently as possible, just like cargo vessels do. That is why they would benefit from a sustainable fuel that takes up the least amount of space. Considering batteries take up a lot of space, hydrogen is more interesting for electric sailing.

Objectives

Enabling fishing vessels to sail CO₂ free and the development of a local infrastructure to provide these ships with sustainable fuel. Firstly, by mapping out and analysing all the energy required on board the various cutters.

Progress

Swipe through the timelines to see the steps taken in this project.

Level 1

Phase 1: Research

Level 1

Phase 1: Research

This phase consists of three levels, each focused on research. To start with, we have a specific technology or innovation in mind. There are assumptions about the working principles, the business case and feasibility. Extensive preliminary research is required to validate these assumptions. Based on this research, we can accurately formulate the technical concept and the scope. The first tests then lead to a proof of concept.

Level 2

Phase 2: Innovation

Level 2

Phase 2: Innovation

The development phase is intended to further test the proof of concept from the research phase. That often occurs using basic prototypes on a small scale, for example in a lab or test environment. If successful, the following step is to test the technology in a relevant environment – a situation comparable to the future application. The prototypes are usually further defined in this stage. As such, a prototype is developed that demonstrates how the technology works.

Level 3

Phase 3: Pilots and demonstrations

Level 3

Phase 3: Pilots and demonstrations

In this phase, the emphasis shifts from the technological operation to issues such as production and certification. The system itself is, in fact, operational in a pilot or demonstration project. Once in practice, further fine-tuning and optimisation are unavoidable. This is also the phase to introduce the innovation to the market and to prepare for production.

Level 4

Phase 4: Ready to use

Level 4

Phase 4: Ready to use

The pilot and demonstration phase help make the innovation technically and commercially ready for production and market introduction.

Learning objectives

Besides developing the required technology and infrastructure, it is important to solve any potential barriers in law and legislation. As such, Goeree-Overflakkee can be a sustainable pioneer with the latest technologies. With this, the island is leading the way in the Netherlands’ shipping sector. The export of these innovations can eventually provide economic benefits to the island.

Media

Be inspired by the film impression of project shipping

Graduation thesis – Lars Steverink Delft University of Technology

Geen categorie

Graduation thesis – Lars Steverink Delft University of Technology

If you can drive on hydrogen, why can’t we sail on it too? Green hydrogen is clean and provides a good operating range. In short: hydrogen could be the solution to making shipping sustainable. ...