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Investment in Design • By David Tinsley Fresh Fuel Cell Initiatives by David Tinsley, technical editor Two recent European initiatives, both involving power systems supplier Wart- sila Corporation, have given fresh impe- tus to the development and application of fuel cell technology aboard ship. The Finnish organization has entered into a pact with Danish firm Haldor Topsoe aimed at bringing cost-competitive fuel cell powering solutions to the market. It has also thrown its weight behind a major new, industry-wide European research program focusing on the tech- nology for commercial shipping. Increased European efforts to make the concept a cost-acceptable reality in waterborne transportation follow an early take-up in the naval field. A 250 kW Siemens fuel cell of the proton exchange membrane (PEM)-type is being installed as part of a hybrid power and propulsion configuration adopted for a German-designed series of new- build submarines. In the U.S., the federal government has this year given a fillip to the concept of fuel cell power in commercial marine applications, through its award of a $100,000 grant to the San Francisco Bay Water Transit Authority towards the development of a zero-emissions com- muter ferry. The WTA is putting $25,000 from its own resources into the exercise, entailing the design, cost estimates and final drawings for a fuel cell-equipped ferry. The new agreement between Wartsila and Haldor calls for the development of fuel cell products in the power range beyond 250-kW, for both the marine market and the distributed power gener- ation sector. The claimed attributes of the technology are ultra-low emissions, and high levels of reliability and effi- ciency, although the collaborators acknowledge that this raft of benefits must be provided at acceptable cost if market penetration is to be achieved. Haldor Topsoe has a long track record in the field of catalysts and energy con- version, and its work on fuel cells has concentrated within the past five years on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technol- ogy. One element of its research and development activities has been a 10- Cirde 256 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com Circle 286 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com The missing link between your ship & the world. info@wlnet.com • mm.wlnet.com • Tel: +1508 370-7778 • Fax:+1 508 370-7791 WORLD-LINK v COMMUNICATIONS ' ' World-Link Communications leads the way In delivering innovative, secure and reliable maritime communication solutions. ShipMail is an integrated messaging service for ship to shore and shore to ship communications. The only service in the industry delivering message least cost routing based on message size and onboard vessel equipment. Whether it's an Internet e-mail, an Inmarsat-C message a fax or a telex, ShipMail will analyze, reformat, and securely send the message to the least expensive terminal, saving you up to 50%. Ahead of the Curve POWER SYSTEMS 3616 Pinemont / Houston, Texas 77018 / Water-Cooled AC Drive? What else, from the company that's Ahead of the Curve? Oilfield-Electric-Marine does AC drives like nobody's business —because no other company's business is as much about AC drives as ours is, It's why we stay ahead of the curve with a water-cooled system that produces 1,150 horsepower in a footprint just 14 inches wide —at a weight-saving commensurate with the space it saves. We offer air-cooled units as well, and advanced AC motors to 1,500 hp. Or if DC's your preferred power source, you'll find our SCR drives and controllers equally ahead of the curve. 24 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News
