AIDA Cruises “AIDAnova” to test methanol-power fuel cell technology
- Published
by Admin
Carnival Corporation’s AIDA Cruises on Monday (14 October) will be starting trials to test the world's first fuel cell system designed to power large passenger vessels from 2021.
The fuel technology will be tested on AIDAnova through a research project named ‘Pa-X-ell2’ to develop fuel cells powered by hydrogen derived from methanol.
Designed by Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, the fuel cells are expected to have a longer lifecycle than those currently being developed for automobiles, with early trials on land showing a lifespan of over 35,000 operating hours.
Developed as a hybrid energy system for use in cruise ships, the fuel cells will be designed to enable benefits beyond significantly lower emissions, including operating with lower noise and vibration.
In the future there is the potential for the required methanol to be produced from renewable energy sources.
Funded by Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the Pa-X-ell2 research project will include AIDA Cruises, represented by Carnival Corporation's Hamburg-based Carnival Maritime GmbH, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, the Meyer Werft shipyard and other partners.
“With the first-time use of fuel cells onboard an oceangoing cruise ship, we will reach another important milestone on our journey to emission-neutral cruising,” said Felix Eichhorn, president of AIDA Cruises.
“Our goal is to continue to show concrete solutions for achieving our climate targets.”
Photo credit: Carnival Corporation
Published: 15 October, 2019
