Advent Technologies, Siemens Energy to work on maritime fuel cell solution

Advent Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Advent Technologies Holdings, and German Siemens Energy have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to develop an integrated 500 kW high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cell solution for maritime applications.

According to Advent, the JDA outlines the collaboration between the two parties, combining Advent’s HT-PEM fuel cell 50 kW modules utilizing its Ion-Pair membrane electrode assembly (MEA) technology with Siemens Energy’s electrification and automation solutions for hybrid and electric vessels.

The goal is to develop an integrated 500 kW HT-PEM fuel cell solution, and then evaluate to scale down/up the system to fit the market requirements from motor and giga yachts to ferries and container/commercial ships.

The clean energy solution resulting from this multi-year collaboration is expected to initially address the power needs of large yachts, Advent said, adding that subsequently, plans are underway to broaden its application to include ferries and commercial/container vessels.

The initial prototype testing for the HT-PEM fuel cell module is expected to take place at Siemens Energy’s testing facility in Erlangen, Germany, in 2025, with the testing of the first fuel cell module scheduled for completion in 2026.

As per Advent Technologies, its HT-PEM fuel cells utilizing the Ion Pair MEA technology, offer high-temperature operation between 80°C and 240°C, extending their lifespan by at least threefold and doubling the power density compared to earlier Advent systems.

Additionally, HT-PEM fuel cell technology enables the use of liquid green fuels like eMethanol, enhancing efficiency by utilizing both heat and electricity, resulting in high resilience, Advent claimed, adding that these fuel cells can function with impure hydrogen, impure air intake, and in extreme ambient temperature and humidity conditions.

To note, this agreement builds upon the collaboration between Advent and Siemens Energy, which began in February 2022 with the Sanlorenzo Life Ocean pilot project for which the companies jointly developed a marine HT-PEM fuel cell solution to provide clean power for hotel functions aboard a 50-meter Sanlorenzo superyacht.

In March 2024, Advent and Siemens Energy joined the RiverCell 3 research and development project, partially funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

Advent’s Chairman and CEO Vasilis Gregoriou commented: “After two years of intensive collaboration, we stand prepared for the next stage, with the goal of positioning HT-PEM fuel cell technology as a pivotal element in global decarbonization initiatives, working towards achieving net-zero emissions in the maritime sector by 2050.”