Sourcing Renewables  -  August 23, 2021

California Bay Area to Deploy Zero-Emission Passenger Ferry

All American Marine announced Aug. 18 that it is constructing a zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger ferry that will operate in the California Bay Area.

AAM is developing the vessel in collaboration with SWITCH Maritime, which specializes in constructing and owning zero-emissions maritime vessels. The vessel features 360 kW of Cummins fuels and 246 kg of Hexagon hydrogen storage tanks. It is also integrated with 100 kWh of lithium-ion battery capacity and a 2x 300 kW electric propulsion system.

The team responsible for the zero-emissions vessel said it is the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the U.S.

“Hydrogen-fuel cell technology will prove to be a robust alternative to conventional powertrain technologies,” Ron Wille, AAM president and COO, said in a statement. “AAM is continuing our tradition of building vessels on the leading edge of technology using advanced propulsion methods, which is why we are so proud to have to completed construction on such a revolutionary vessel.”

The project was funded by private capital from SWITCH and is working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard on permitting hydrogen fuel systems for commercial and regulatory maritime vessels. It also received a $3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board through California Climate Investments, a project to invest in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health and the environment.

The team also received a $5 million loan guarantee from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Climate Tech Finance program.