Bridging High Performance and Sustainability

Pioneer Clean-Tech

Prototype a stand-alone hydrogen-electric energy system as a practical zero-CO2 solution

Energy Independence

Demonstrate the performance and reliability advantages of renewable, hydrogen-electric technologies over conventional diesel power units

The Energy Challenge is a bid set up by PS Racing to be the first vessel to win a round-world race on zero CO2, and to circumnavigate with zero backup fossil fuels on board. In collaboration with the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, the team has developed a novel concept for a CO2-free, high efficiency, energy storage and distribution system.

The clean energy system is based on a hydrogen fuel cell (H2 FC) hybrid electric technology utilising clean-hydrogen that offers a low weight, high capacity, and quiet operation alternative to diesel hybrid electric systems.

System Benefits

  • Low noise and no vibration – Virtually silent operation

  • Zero green house gas Emissions
  • No new infrastructure requirements – Refuelling from renewable energy or shore power due to onboard power to gas storage, allows hydrogen infrastructure limitations to be bypassed
  • Low running costs – Majority of refuelling is driven from renewables due to high mooring times of average boat user
  • Scalability – Modular fuel cell technology

  • Weight – Similar to diesel gensets and significantly lighter than battery storage

  • Redundancy – Storage of renewable energy through hydrogen and batteries
  • Space efficiency and design flexibility (modular structure)
  • Low maintenance – No moving parts

  • Low noise and no vibration – Virtually silent operation

  • Zero green house gas Emissions
  • No new infrastructure requirements – Refuelling from renewable energy or shore power due to onboard power to gas storage, allows hydrogen infrastructure limitations to be bypassed
  • Low running costs – Majority of refuelling is driven from renewables due to high mooring times of average boat user
  • Scalability – Modular fuel cell technology

  • Weight – Similar to diesel gensets and significantly lighter than battery storage

  • Redundancy – Storage of renewable energy through hydrogen and batteries
  • Space efficiency and design flexibility (modular structure)
  • Low maintenance – No moving parts

System Operation

Docking and Maneuvering – Fuel Cell and Battery Hybridisation

  • For accelerating and obtaining peak power, batteries compliment power of fuel cell load by providing instantaneous power

  • Fuel Cell kept at optimum efficiency through hybridisation

  • The system benefits from the electric motor’s low-speed torque during low speed manoeuvring

Docking and Maneuvering – Fuel Cell and Battery Hybridisation

  • For accelerating and obtaining peak power, batteries compliment power of fuel cell load by providing instantaneous power

  • Fuel Cell kept at optimum efficiency through hybridisation

  • The system benefits from the electric motor’s low-speed torque during low speed manoeuvring

Steady State Motoring – Fuel Cell Power and Battery Recharge

  • Fuel cell system powers the vessel exclusively when motoring at the cruising speed, typically at 70 – 75% of the maximum propulsion power, whilst simultaneously recharging the batteries
  • High efficiency solar panels can have a significant effect on lowering fuel consumption, by covering the auxiliary power demand and even contributing to propulsion system during peak sunlight

Steady State Motoring – Fuel Cell Power and Battery Recharge

  • Fuel cell system powers the vessel exclusively when motoring at the cruising speed, typically at 70 – 75% of the maximum propulsion power, whilst simultaneously recharging the batteries
  • High efficiency solar panels can have a significant effect on lowering fuel consumption, by covering the auxiliary power demand and even contributing to propulsion system during peak sunlight

Recharge Under Sail – Surplus Renewable Energy Stored as Hydrogen

  • Vessel captures energy from solar, wind, and hydrogenerator system, with the motor acting in reverse as a generator

  • Power to gas energy storage, through onboard electrolyser to produce and compress hydrogen, once batteries are fully charged

Recharge Under Sail – Surplus Renewable Energy Stored as Hydrogen

  • Vessel captures energy from solar, wind, and hydrogenerator system, with the motor acting in reverse as a generator

  • Power to gas energy storage, through onboard electrolyser to produce and compress hydrogen, once batteries are fully charged