Ballard Power Systems announced it has received Europe's industry first Type Approval by DNV, one of the world's leading classification and certification bodies, for its marine fuel cell module FCwave. The Type Approval marks an important step in commercializing Ballard's fuel cell technology for marine applications and is key to including fuel cells as part of zero-emission solutions for the marine industry. The Type Approval process is extensive, involving a series of simulations and tests which were carried out at Ballard's global Marine Center of Excellence in Hobro, Denmark, where the FCwave is developed and manufactured.
The International Maritime Organization has set ambitious targets to cut GHG emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050. The high-power FCwave module is a flexible solution that can support the energy needs of various vessel types as well as onshore power. The scalable 200kW power module offers a plug-and-play replacement for conventional diesel engines.
The Type Approval certification confirms the design meets the stringent safety, functional, design and documentation requirements necessary for global marine commercialization.