European fuel cell R&D and production companies Blue World Technologies and Tuco have reached an agreement to develop a flexible methanol fuel cell solution for electric workboats.
The Blue World Technologies fuel cell system uses pure methanol as fuel. Methanol is a liquid fuel that can be produced from renewable sources and can be easily stored and transported around the world. Unlike internal combustion engines, the fuel cell system emits zero harmful gases, and its application will provide a practical green solution to the massive air pollution problem the world is currently struggling to overcome.
It is understood that the high-efficiency methanol reforming fuel cell system developed by Blue World Technologies can be used in many fields. Its methanol fuel cell technology is designed to provide a green alternative for the maritime industry. Flexible fuel cell power solutions can be used for auxiliary power or propulsion. This methanol fuel cell system has the advantages of low maintenance, zero sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, and also neutralizes carbon dioxide.
The Danish Tuco Marine Group mainly manufactures the ProZero series of work boats and support boats, mainly for the market of work boats, personnel transportation and diving.
The cooperation between the two parties was established through the BlueDolphin project, in which Aalborg University, Denmark, is also a partner. BlueDolphin is a development for small boats, such as workboats, that will be powered by a fuel cell system using liquid methanol. The project has received EUPD funding to support the development and demonstration of methanol fuel cells for workboats.
