$3 million grant to fund first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in US

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(SAN FRANCISCO) — Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine has been awarded a $3 million grant by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to build the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the United States, Gasworld reported.

Expected to be launched in mid-2019, the 70-foot Water-Go-Round also will be the first commercial fuel cell ferry in the world. The aluminum catamaran, designed by Incat Crowther, will have a 22-knot top speed and will be built by Bay Ship & Yacht Co. of Alameda, Calif.

The vessel will be powered by dual 300-kW electric motors using independent electric drive trains from BAE Systems. Power will be generated by 360 kW of Hydrogenics fuel cells and lithium-ion battery packs. Hydrogen tanks from Hexagon Composites, with valves and hardware from OMB-Saleri, will be installed on the upper deck and will contain enough hydrogen to go up to two days between refuelings. Water-Go-Round will be able to take on fuel anywhere with truck access.

Red and White Fleet will operate the vessel for its demonstration phase in San Francisco Bay and plans to purchase it.

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By Professional Mariner Staff