Knowledge gaps in fuel cell-based maritime hybrid power plants and alternative fuels

Abstract

The maritime industry is facing a technological challenge regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a way of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This research focuses on the use of alternative fuels and fuel cell technologies, combined in hybrid power plants with well-known technologies, such as internal combustion engines and gas turbines, to achieve high flexibility. In this work, hybridized proton exchange membrane fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells are under investigation, together with hydrogen, methanol and ammonia fuels. Literature on fuel cell-based maritime hybrid power plants is analyzed and discussed to identify knowledge areas not fully covered yet and to open a debate on the topic from the perspective of maritime engineering A combination of proton exchange with solid oxide fuel cells and an evaluation of cargo space loss, as opposed to fuel storage, are identified as knowledge gaps among others.