Freire, Astander, and Astilleros de Mallorca are studying the feasibility of a hydrogen fuel cell
Freire, Astander, and Astilleros de Mallorca are studying the feasibility of a hydrogen fuel cell
SOERMAR (Society for the Study of Maritime Resources) is conducting the technical feasibility study prior to an R\&D project for the advanced conceptual design of a hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell system to supply electrical power to the shipyards of Freire Shipyard, Astander, and Astilleros de Mallorca.
The strategy of the participating shipyards is to acquire the necessary knowledge to install, in the medium term, a prototype that would be unique at the national and European level.
“The development of this future project, based on technology unprecedented at an industrial level in the shipbuilding sector, would position the participating shipyards at the forefront of the development of clean and sustainable energy for self-supply,” explains Eva Novoa, general director of SOERMAR.
Before designing the project, it is necessary to carry out a feasibility study with a structured methodology that ensures its success and reduces risks and uncertainties from the outset.
Through this study, the potential of a future experimental development project to reduce emissions using new technologies—about which the participating shipyards currently have no specific knowledge or prior experience—is evaluated and analyzed.
This ensures that the decision-making process is objective and rational, that its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats are identified, that the necessary resources to carry it out are determined, and that its prospects for success are assessed.
The ultimate aim is to develop new or improved processes or services.
The scientific-technological objective of the project is to analyze the available technology related to the use of fuel cells and the feasibility of applying it to supply the electrical and thermal needs of the participating shipyards.
It will also investigate different methods of harnessing the residual heat from the fuel cell to increase its efficiency and reduce the need for other energy sources for heating and hot water.
From a strategic perspective, the purpose is to design a sustainable electrical and thermal energy generation and storage facility based on hydrogen, with guarantees of success.
It also seeks to acquire the knowledge needed for the participating shipyards to advance in the design and implementation of this technology in ship prototypes, which will allow them to achieve a technical and technological differentiation that will make them more eco-efficient and competitive at national and international levels.
“At the same time, from an industrial perspective, the objectives pursued are to achieve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and use hydrogen for electricity generation with an efficiency not lower than 80%, which requires harnessing the residual heat generated by the fuel cell—something that involves having technologists specialized in the field,” notes Alfonso Carneros, technical director of SOERMAR.