A new research consortium is working on an emission-free energy supply for large passenger ships in port. In the H2MASS project, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Meyer Werft, and the Helmut-Schmidt-University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg (HSU) are developing an integrated hydrogen energy system.
Carnival Maritime GmbH is involved as an associated partner. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is funding the project, with the Project Management Jülich (PtJ) coordinating the funding. The project duration is 48 months.
Metal Hydrides as Storage Medium
The core of the project is a hydrogen storage system based on metal hydrides. These are powdered metals that chemically store hydrogen atoms in their lattice structure. According to the consortium, the storage density is significantly higher than conventional high-pressure tanks. Additionally, metal hydrides require lower pressure during loading and moderate temperatures when releasing hydrogen. This is intended to make the operation safe and energy-efficient.
The planned system is expected to achieve a target output of 4 MW, thus covering the so-called hotel load during port operations – meaning the energy supply for lighting, air conditioning, kitchens, and other onboard functions during docking time. So far, shore power is not widely available for large passenger ships. The connection is also associated with high costs and significant infrastructure effort.
Task Distribution in the Consortium
Meyer Werft coordinates the project and develops a ship concept that enables the integration of the storage system under technical, safety, and regulatory aspects. The goal is a complete system design, including a robust technical layout and an assessment of operational limits.
The Hereon Institute for Hydrogen Technology is developing a scalable metal hydride-based storage module and building a demonstrator to be tested under realistic conditions. The HSU contributes a digital twin of the storage system. This virtual model is intended to enable simulation-based optimization and digital upscaling for use on real ships.
Foundation for Further Scaling
According to the participants, H2MASS is an initial development step that aims to lay the foundation for later scaling of the system. "We are developing a fully integrable storage system that can be adapted to different ship types and sizes," says Maximilian Passing, H2MASS project manager and scientist at the Hereon Institute for Hydrogen Technology. "This brings the technology of metal hydride-based hydrogen storage one step closer to application." In the future, according to Passing, the system could not only cover the hotel load but also meet other energy needs on board, such as for propulsion or hybrid operating modes.
Background: Pressure on Shipping Increases
According to the consortium, maritime transport accounts for around three percent of global CO2 emissions. At the same time, regulatory requirements for the industry are increasing, including through inclusion in the EU Emissions Trading System and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation for the gradual decarbonization of maritime transport. In particular, reducing emissions in port is considered a challenge. Onboard hydrogen systems could represent an alternative to shore power connections here.
