PNR on hydrogen-based fuels solutions for passenger ships

Topic description

Specific Challenge:

In April 2018, the International Maritime Organisation, IMO adopted an initial strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships (overall fleet target ≥50% CO2 reduction by 2050 compared to 2008) [80]. Alternative fuels and FC technologies can help meet these environmental and climate goals but require short and medium-term measures to become sustainable, viable and safe solutions. H2 and FC technologies are not covered nor supported by existing regulations applicable to the maritime sector, undermining the willingness of actors (in particular ship-builders and owners) to invest and develop solutions based on these technologies.

The current IMO International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels, IGF Code [81] covers primarily LNG. It is nevertheless of outmost importance for the shipbuilding industry to have provisions for the introduction of other low-flashpoint fuels used by fuel cell power generation systems. Although the IGF Code itself provides general indications for a goal-oriented approach on such installations to introduce novel technologies, designers and operators can only rely upon a performance-based technology qualification process, supplemented by complex safety assessment methodologies.

Since a regulatory framework applicable to hydrogen fuelled ships is not yet available, the only approach is given by IMO generic ‘Alternative Design’ process whereby safety, reliability and dependability of the systems is to be proven equivalent to that of traditional fuels and power generation systems. Extensive formal safety assessment methodologies should be carried out and national flag administrations require specific and agreed regulatory framework to approve such installations.

To draft a dedicated chapter in the IGF Code, IMO member states would need to gather theoretical guidance, feedback from existing applications, best practices, reference from other industrial sectors, available technologies, safety procedures in design and operation, human element aspects, etc. This would smooth and speed up the development of a comprehensive set of international regulation.

[80] http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/GHG/Pages/default.aspx

[81] http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/SafetyTopics/Pages/IGF-Code.aspx

The project will contribute to the development of a goal-based regulatory framework on the use of hydrogen and hydrogen-based alternative fuels for waterborne transport. It will identify and ensure the correct management of risks in all design and operational aspects. It will establish the relevant objectives and the functional requirements for the use of hydrogen, consistent with the provisions of SOLAS chapter II-282 for the fuel system components, installation and energy converters.

The scope of the project should therefore include:

• A review of the current regulatory framework, identifying obstacles and barriers, needs, challenges etc.;
• Technical knowledge to support the discussions for the development of a coherent regulatory framework for risk assessment and risk management of gaseous and liquid hydrogen (GH2 and LH2) and hydrogen-based alternative fuels on ships;
• A roadmap to add GH2, LH2 and hydrogen-based alternative fuels to the IGF Code in practical consistent manner e.g. referring to fuels already addressed by the Code.

With reference to the above roadmap, all the following points should be addressed from a regulatory point of view:

• Ship design and arrangements for the use of GH2, LH2 or other H2-based fuels;
• Bunkering procedures and logistic interface at port;
• Fuel storage and distribution to systems on-board;
• Materials, components and general piping design for H2 containment and handling;
• H2 power generation and management systems;
• Active and passive safety systems for fire and explosion prevention, including ventilation and exhaust systems, integrated automation, safety monitoring and control systems;
• Operational best practices, condition-based monitoring and maintenance.

As regards the technical knowledge the project should also:

• Define and validate the most appropriate science-based safety engineering and Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models to support designers in minimising risk in early design stage;
• Draft guidelines for the integration of fuel cell power generation systems in the ship network;
• Define requirements for the ship interactions at port (bunkering, refilling etc.).

Materials and components for the containment and distribution of hydrogen-rich fuels on-board should be carefully selected, analysed and tested to ensure the expected performance in the wide range of operational pressures and temperatures. To carry out these R&D activities, a strong partnership with all stakeholders is recommended: shipbuilders, ship designers, technology providers, research centres, ship operators, classification societies, experts in the production/handling /transport/bunkering of hydrogen, local authorities.

Such teamwork among all stakeholders is necessary to pave the way for a seamless cooperation at IMO level. To finalize the provisions of a dedicated chapter of the IGF Code dedicated to hydrogen, the proposal should:

• Establish a cooperation with IMO and other relevant organizations (ISO-TC197 [83], IEC TC 105 [84]) to facilitate the discussion and the uptake of the necessary provisions;
• Seek feedback from existing applications, best practices, reference from other industrial sectors, available technologies, safety procedures in design and operation, human element aspects etc.

It is expected that the project will setup an international advisory board to support the R&D activities and the continuation of the activities afterwards, interacting with the IMO throughout the process.

The project should contribute towards the activities of Mission Innovation - Hydrogen Innovation Challenge. Cooperation with entities from Hydrogen Innovation Challenge member countries, which are neither EU Member States nor Horizon 2020 Associated countries, is encouraged (see chapter 3.3 for the list of countries eligible for funding, and point G. International Cooperation).

Any safety-related event that may occur during execution of the project shall be reported to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) dedicated mailbox JRC-PTT-H2SAFETY@ec.europa.eu , which manages the European hydrogen safety reference database, HIAD and the Hydrogen Event and Lessons LEarNed database, HELLEN.

The FCH 2 JU considers that the proposals requesting a contribution of EUR 2.5 million, including the analysis and testing of the materials, would allow the specific challenges to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of supplementing proposals, requesting other amounts.

Expected duration: 4 years.

[83] https://www.iso.org/committee/54560.html

[84] https://www.iec.ch/dyn/www/f?p=103:7:0::::FSP_ORG_ID,FSP_LANG_ID:1309,25

The project is expected to deliver:

• Unique experimental data concerning the interaction of hydrogen with maritime infrastructure (materials, ships, bunkering installations and harbours) to support further development and validation of relevant physics models, simulation and risk assessment tools;
• Review of existing standards against new and missing knowledge to suggest the implementation and modification of international standards;
• Guidelines for safe design for the new IGF chapter on hydrogen based on the experimental results and simulations, implementation and operations of H2-fueled ships which would support the authorization process of National Administrations;
• Commonly agreed, scientifically based recommendations for the update of relevant RCS will lead to a more harmonised normative landscape and level up the safety culture in general;
• A boost in the entry into the market of commercial passenger ships based on hydrogen and fuel cells, and in the scaling-up of hydrogen technologies.

The conditions related to this topic are provided in the chapter 3.3 of the FCH2 JU 2020 Annual Work Plan and in the General Annexes to the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018– 2020 which apply mutatis mutandis.

International cooperation