NatPower H and Hydrocell conclude hydrogen supply deal

NatPower H, part of the NatPower Group – the developer of infrastructure for the production, storage and refuelling of green hydrogen for pleasure boating, and Hydrocell, a producer of control units for hydrogen-powered and electric propulsion systems, have signed an agreement for the supply of hydrogen to be used as a propellant for zero-emission boats.

The contract covers the supply of approximately 4.5 tons of hydrogen over 3 years from one of the stations to be installed by NatPower H or in mobile mode.

The hydrogen will be used for the propulsion of Hydrocell’s light passenger transport vessel “Nobody’s Perfect.” This ship is a 17-meter retrofit built in 1978, which according to NatPower, will host the first hydrogen engine managed by a control unit designed by Hydrocell.

Refuelling operations will begin during the testing phase of the craft and continue into the operational phase, NatPower noted.

Andrea Minerdo, CEO of NatPower H, said that this is an important contract for the boating industry and NatPower H, adding: “Today hydrogen strengthens its position as a fuel of the future, as it begins the transition from an experimental propellant to one that is commercially-available to all.”

Karl Manfredi, CEO of Hydrocell, stated: “The agreement with NatPower H is a concrete sign of the desire to push towards the use of renewable, easily-accessible energy sources like hydrogen in order to build a better future for everyone. For us, hydrogen is one of the keys to a more sustainable planet: we have therefore combined our wealth of varied experience in the sector in order to make our contribution. Thanks to NatPower H we are able to add another piece to a project of crucial importance to us – the retrofitting of ‘Nobody’s Perfect.'”

In related news, in January 2024, NatPower H revealed that a €100 million green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for recreational boating will see its first station installed in Italy by the summer of 2024.

At the time, the company claimed that through this hydrogen refuelling infrastructure project, it aims to install sustainable energy hubs in major Italian marinas and create the ideal conditions to facilitate the development and use of hydrogen-powered vessels.