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^TM.

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 new classification of FCwave^TM has removed a significant roadblock in helping the marine industry deploy zero-emission technologies and meet global emission reduction targets,” says Søren Østergaard Hansen, General Manager, Marine, Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S. “The Type Approval from DNV is highly important in building market confidence in hydrogen fuel cells and validates that FCwave^TM is designed, tested and prepared for installation. The Type Approved FCwave^TM module enables us to deliver the first deployment-ready fuel cell solution, capable of helping the marine sector take the next steps in implementing zero-emission operations.”

The International Maritime Organization has set ambitious targets to cut GHG emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050. The high-power FCwave^TM 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.