Ricardo’s hydrogen fuel cell module celebrates key milestone to successfully generating power

Ricardo’s ground-breaking high-powered multi-stack hydrogen fuel cell module has reached a new milestone. Following its initial activation, the module is generating significant power output. 

Initially developed to generate high energy output with zero-emissions for the maritime sector as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping (sHYpS) project, the core technology is suitable for a wide range of high-power applications. Ricardo is already seeing strong interest from sectors including, stationary power, rail, off-highway and high-performance vehicles.

The module has already achieved Lloyd’s Register’s Approval in Principle for the system’s safety and certification approach for ocean-going applications. As well as the fuel cell power plant, the sHYpS project is developing a novel swappable liquid hydrogen storage solution, which can be adapted to multiple types of vessels and accelerate the achievement of the International Maritime Organisation’s decarbonisation targets.

Andy Ennever, Global Head of Fuel Cells at Ricardo commented “Fuel cells are simple in theory but optimising power density, efficiency and durability whilst meeting safety requirements is a complex process. Our experts have created highly integrated sub-systems in the quest to develop a solution to the growing demand for green energy. The team has mastered the wide range of skillsets and engineering disciplines needed to successfully design and develop our hydrogen multi-stack fuel cell module. We’re delighted to have reached this milestone in early October, which has allowed us to progress with testing the module and continuing to the next stage of the project."

Ricardo is a global leader in clean energy, including the design and development of innovative propulsion systems for future sustainable mobility applications. It remains committed to ongoing efforts focused on enhancing fuel cell system performance and expanding their use globally, offering a wide range of fuel cell services including:

• Development of bespoke, high-power, high-power density, multi-stack fuel cell systems.
• Containerisation of fuel cell systems for stationary and marine applications.
• Integration of fuel cell systems into commercial vehicle, high-performance vehicle, off-highway, marine and rail applications.
• Licencing of fuel cell IP, including the control system. 
• Niche volume manufacture of bespoke fuel cell solutions.

Ricardo has long been at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, and this latest achievement further solidifies its leadership position in the industry. Ricardo remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in clean energy, providing policy analysis and strategic advice with un-paralleled technical expertise in the design, engineering, testing, and niche manufacture of zero-emission solutions. 

Ricardo will soon be releasing a video series where will will share more about our fuel cell module. Sign up to our mailing list to be notified when it launches.