Bristol’s hydrogen ferry nears completion

It has been designed by Bristol Hydrogen Boats, a consortium formed between No 7 Boat Trips, the Bristol Packet and Auriga Energy Ltd, and is being built by a local fabricator. The consortium joins high-tech fuel cell systems developers Auriga with experienced ferry and boat trip operators. Air Products will supply the hydrogen and the refuelling system.

Bristol City Council has facilitated and part funded the project. BCC’s decision to let the contract from its economic development budget during difficult financial times reflects an admirable vision to create a new local industry and jobs.

The project is driven by the need to reduce pollution in the maritime domain, something which is not yet a highest priority. It has been calculated that the 10 largest US container ports generate the same volume of SOx emissions per day as 18.5 million cars and the same NOx emissions as 3.2 million cars.

The MARPOL treaty requires further reduction for sulphur content. Bio-fuel and filter solutions being considered are not truly sustainable. Hydrogen has the potential to be a truly zero emission fuel and this project aims to expedite its wider introduction.   

Another driver is the steadily rising cost of oil/diesel fuel. The first trial of its kind in the world is to take place in the Outer Hebrides, with European funding received to convert fishing boats to run on hydrogen. Lews Castle College at Stornoway has been given £45,000 to help pay for work to reduce fuel costs for fishing vessels using hydrogen. This will initially involve burning hydrogen in the engines but the future will be fuel cells when the cost of ownership is seen to be competitive.

Hydrogen is the primary fuel for the Bristol Ferry, with a fuel cell creating the electricity which drives the boat and powers on board services. The build is being certified by Lloyds and the MCA as a passenger carrying craft. Subsequent approval for use by the Bristol Harbour Master and the procurement of insurance will see this 12 passenger vessel provide the UK’s first commercial hydrogen ferry passenger service. Its operation will set the stage for a more commercially viable 50 passenger craft to follow and then sales to third parties once MCA regulations compliance is in place.

The Bristol Hydrogen Ferry project aims to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology in ferry operations over a six month demonstration period, helping to quantify potential CO2 reductions and de-risk the installation and operation of fuelling infrastructure. It will resolve certification and insurance issues whilst informing and educating the public.

Bristol recently welcomed the significant step taken by Swindon towards creating an ‘M4 Hydrogen Corridor’ between the two cities following the launch of the open access hydrogen vehicle refuelling station at the local Honda plant. It will manufacture Honda’s European hydrogen powered car, due on the market in 2015.

When the Bristol Ferry launches, it will take the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell transport another step forward and expand the M4 Hydrogen Corridor. Hydrogen offers huge potential as a sustainable fuel with zero emissions.

Dr Chris Tuppen, author of the Smart City Bristol report said, "Over the next decade hydrogen could be a key economic and environmental opportunity for Bristol and the West of England.

"Compared to electricity, hydrogen is much more difficult to transport. However, it can be generated from electricity, and is much easier to store than electricity . This is why it is vitally important to not only create both local supply and demand, but also connect it to low carbon electricity generation. Swindon's refuelling facility and Bristol's ferry could, over time, see hydrogen take a key role in the low carbon economy."

Jas Singh, managing director of Auriga Energy Ltd, attended the hydrogen fuel event in Swindon, where he said, "The opening of the Swindon refuelling facility is a great step in the introduction of truly sustainable transport solution through hydrogen power. We look forward to our leap forward with the operation of the hydrogen ferry for a sustainable economy in Bristol."