ABB and HDF Energy have formalised a joint-development agreement aimed at advancing fuel cell technology for marine use.
This development seeks to introduce high-power hydrogen fuel cell units for varied maritime vessels, including considerable ships like container feeders and hydrogen carriers. This partnership builds on a prior 2020 Memorandum of Understanding, marking continued collaboration and shared goals.
Integration and development plans
The joint effort anticipates initial pilot installations by 2028–2029, progressing to full-scale production by 2030
The joint effort anticipates initial pilot installations by 2028–2029, progressing to full-scale production by 2030. This agreement is seen as a pivotal movement in establishing fuel cells as a feasible alternative for supporting maritime decarbonisation.
ABB’s strength in system integration combines with HDF’s proficiency in designing and manufacturing large-scale fuel cells, providing a foundation for this collaboration.
HDF, based in France, lends its fuel cell technology, whereas ABB focuses on delivering power converters, management systems, and integration expertise. Both partners will partake in crafting specifications, conceptual designs, and exploring commercial prospects.
Environmental and operational benefits
The deployment of these advanced fuel cell units is set to significantly cut down emissions from maritime activities by fostering the creation of large hydrogen-electric vessels. Additionally, replacing diesel auxiliary generators with hydrogen fuel cells on existing ships is expected to bring substantial emissions reductions, especially when utilising carbon-neutral options like green hydrogen.
ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ power system will facilitate seamless integration of the fuel cell units with other power sources and subsystems, such as battery energy storage, thereby enhancing operational range and flexibility.
Support for marine electrification
The innovative fuel cell unit is also poised to further marine electrification by acting as an auxiliary power source
The innovative fuel cell unit is also poised to further marine electrification by acting as an auxiliary power source at ports, meeting peak power needs when grid capacity is constrained.
This reflects a broader potential to support marine electrification as shore-power and charging infrastructures increasingly cater to electric and hybrid vessels.
Collaborative expertise
Hanane El Hamraoui, CEO of HDF Energy, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting, “We at HDF are very excited to combine our fuel cell knowledge with ABB’s marine systems integration expertise to provide a practical means of decarbonising the maritime industry.”
Rune Braastad, President of ABB's Marine & Ports division, underscored the significance of the partnership: “ABB and HDF have been collaborating for several years, making significant progress toward a viable solution for decarbonising larger vessels. We at ABB remain fully committed to developing technologies that accelerate maritime decarbonisation, and this new agreement with HDF reflects another important step forward.”
