Alexandre DENJEAN, Franck VERBECKE, François-Xavier DERREUMAUX, Thomas GROSJEAN at the Port of Marseille for the AiP delivery of the Helion Fuel Cell system.
• HELION Hydrogen Power high-power fuel cell manufacturer has received Approval in Principle from Bureau Veritas for its FC-RACKTM Marine version, a zero-emission hydrogen powered electric generator dedicated to maritime applications.
• High power fuel cell manufacturer, HELION Hydrogen Power, takes another step towards the certification of its marine fuel cell, the FC-RACK TM.
• The industrialisation of HELION’s fuel cell will enable marine players to meet their net zero goals and decarbonize the maritime sector.
04 August, 2022 – This Approval in Principle (AiP) is the result of a close collaboration between HELION and Bureau Veritas, aiming at deploying the safe use of hydrogen as an energy vector for propulsion and shore-to-ship power supply.
A new generation of marine fuel cells
The work carried out has enabled the Alstom subsidiary’s 6th generation of hydrogen fuel cells to comply with Bureau Veritas rules that correspond to the use of fuel cells on board ships.
The fuel cell “marinization” is ensured thanks to a double envelope enclosure that enables the system to be perfectly sealed in a saline environment. In addition, HELION’s new FC-RACK™ Marine incorporates a thermal management system, a dedicated on-board control system, and a hydrogen safety system that enables the FC-RACK™ Marine to be installed inside or on the deck of the vessel. Finally, its vertical architecture facilitates ease-of-access during maintenance operations.
“This new generation of fuel cells is in line with our pillars which are: durability, safety, and maintainability. The substantive work that has been carried out along with our certifying partner confirms our belief that the product meets the requirements of the maritime sector. The latter also suggests that our FC-RACK™ Marine will quickly obtain final approval (Type Approval Certificate). This certificate will lead to the industrialization of the FC-RACK™ Marine in order to provide a reliable and robust solution to our customers in the marine industry in their decarbonization ambitions. The story does not end there since our fuel cell system has already been selected in marine projects in real-world conditions”, says Vincent MAHEO, President of HELION Hydrogen Power.
Laurent Leblanc, Senior Vice President Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commented: “Our role as a Class society is to enable our customers to tackle the energy transition. We use our expertise to help advance safe innovation and to make possible solutions for tomorrow. Collaborating with HELION on the zero-emission hydrogen powered electric generator is very stimulating. We look forward to continuing the partnership and support the industry decarbonization’s journey.”
HELION’s marine certified fuel cell will be operational by the end of 2023 and will supply zero-emission power to a dredger operating in the Occitanie Region and built by Piriou shipyard. For this world’s first hybrid diesel-hydrogen dredger, HELION’s 200 kW FC-RACK™ will provide the energy required for life on board when the vessel is at berth and will partly supply the power needed for the propulsion during dredging activities.
About Alstom
Leading societies to a low carbon future, Alstom develops and markets mobility solutions that provide the sustainable foundations for the future of transportation. Alstom’s product portfolio ranges from high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to integrated systems, customised services, infrastructure, signalling, and digital mobility solutions. Alstom has 150,000 vehicles in commercial service worldwide. With Bombardier Transportation joining Alstom on January 29, 2021, the enlarged Group’s combined proforma revenue amounts to €14 billion for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021. Headquartered in France, Alstom is now present in 70 countries and employs more than 70,000 people.
Its employees in France total approximately 12,500, providing a pool of expertise to serve French and international clients. Approximately 30,000 jobs are created in France amongst its 4,500 French suppliers. A key player in the hydrogen industry, HELION Hydrogen Power, a subsidiary of the Alstom Group, specialises in the design, development and manufacture of fuel cells combining high power and long durability in highly constrained environments. It employs around 35 people at its site in Aix-en-Provence, in addition to around 40 subcontractors. The company, which has celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, has more than 40 patents in hydrogen technology and just as many systems in operation.
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 80,000 employees located in more than 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions, in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.
Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index.
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