HYDROGEN
FUEL CELL FERRY – SCI & TECH
News:
PM Modi flags off first
indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry
What's
in the news?
●
Prime Minister recently launched India’s
first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry. It was manufactured by
the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the Harit Nauka initiative.
Key
Features:
1.
Design:
●
It is a 24-meter catamaran which can accommodate 50 people in its
air-conditioned passenger area.
●
The accommodation is made of high-quality
fiberglass reinforced plastic, resembling metro train coaches.
2.
Propulsion:
●
This boat uses a 50-kilowatt PEM (proton-exchange membrane) fuel cell along with
Lithium-Ion Phosphate batteries.
●
PEM fuel cells have the advantage of
quickly adjusting their output to match power demands.
3.
Energy Source:
●
This boat has five hydrogen cylinders that
hold 40 kg of hydrogen, providing
support for eight hours of operations.
●
The vessel is equipped with a 3-kilowatt
solar panel.
4.
Indigenous Components:
●
CSL developed the vessel automation system and power management system.
●
The hydrogen fuel cell system was
developed by KPIT Technologies, Pune, in collaboration with the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research Labs.
Significance
of Ferry:
1.
Environment Friendly:
●
It produces zero emissions or noise and it is energy-efficient. It will also
make urban mobility smooth and easy.
2.
Low Maintenance Cost:
●
Since it has no moving parts, the ferry
needs less maintenance than combustion vessels.
Go
back to basics:
Harit
Nauka Initiative:
●
In January 2024, the shipping ministry
unveiled the Harit Nauka guidelines for inland vessels.
●
According to the guidelines, all states must aim to use green fuels for
50% of inland waterways passenger fleets within the next decade and 100% by
2045.
●
It aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions
according to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.