SEA-KIT International has won funding to install a hydrogen fuel cell on its unmanned surface vehicle (USV) Maxlimer, achieving an industry first.
The project, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) working with InnovateUK, will showcase a successful diesel to hydrogen conversion of SEA-KIT’s USV design and demonstrate a route to fulfilling the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan Strategy commitment of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 50% by 2050.
This project will replace one of the diesel generators with new hydrogen fuel cell technology from Bramble Energy and demonstrate an offshore operation with zero carbon emissions
said Ben Simpson, SEA-KIT CEO
West Sussex-based Bramble Energy will design and manufacture a marinized, customised version of its printed circuit board fuel cell (PCBFC).
SEA-KIT will retrofit its demonstration vessel, USV ‘Maxlimer’, with the hydrogen fuel system. Data gathered from bench testing and sea trials will be used for the design and build of similar USVs, as well as for larger uncrewed vessel builds in the near future.
As the UK prepares to host COP26 in the maritime city of Glasgow, it is great that we can announce funding for these fantastic projects in the maritime sector that will help the UK meet its net zero goals. From this competition we saw a very high level of demand, we have seen the very best of British ideas from all over the country
Simon Edmonds, Deputy Executive Chair and Chief Business Officer for Innovate UK, stated.
The application of a hydrogen fuel source to a USV will be a world first.
