Proton Motor supplies power to first fuel cell vessel

Proton Motor is supplying the hybrid drive for the world's first fuel cell powered vessel.

The new ship, Alster, will start working in Hamburg in the summer of 2008 and can carry up to 100 passengers on one trip and is completely free of harmful emissions.

Powered by two PM Basic A 50 50kW fuel cells, the ship contain an integrated battery that takes surplus energy from the cells and stories it.

This means that when the ship is stopped at port it can have maximum power when casting off as the batteries feed the power back to the engine.

The hydrogen fuel cell is stored on board in pressurised tanks and only needs to be refuelled every three days.

Anno Mertens, Zemships project manager at Proton Motor, said the new ship is twice as efficient as a conventional diesel model.

"This shows that our products are ready for everyday use. It offers an opportunity to open up a whole new market and extends our pioneering role in the cleantech industry," he commented.

http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage8303.html

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Source: Adfero