Sept 15, 2020

On September 7th, Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) announced the launch of the fuel cell industry’s first module designed for primary propulsion power in marine vessels. Ballard’s FCwaveTM fuel cell product is a 200-kilowatt (kW) modular unit that can be scaled in series up to the multi-megawatt (MW) power level.

The FCwaveTM product provides primary propulsion power for marine vessels – such as passenger and car ferries, river push boats, and fishing boats – as well as stationary electrical power to support hotel and auxiliary loads on cruise ships and other vessels while docked at port (also known as ‘cold ironing’). 

Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer said, “Ballard is focused on Heavy- and Medium-Duty Motive applications, particularly where requirements include heavy payload, extended range and rapid refueling. This is a sweet spot for our fuel cell value proposition, which is backed up by more than 50 million kilometers of operational experience in thousands of vehicles. These same requirements underpin use cases in the maritime industry, resulting in a significant addressable market opportunity that can be effectively addressed by our new FCwaveTM product. Global efforts to decarbonize include commercial maritime activities, where Ballard intends to build on our leading position in zero-emission fuel cell solutions.”

Jesper Themsen, CEO of Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S noted, “The United Nations International Maritime Organization, or IMO, has set aggressive targets for reduction of CO2emissions in the marine sector, including 50% lower emissions by 2050. At Ballard we have recognized this important market opportunity, launching a Marine Center of Excellence at our Hobro, Denmark facility this year. Our Marine Center of Excellence will focus on engineering, manufacturing and servicing the developing marine market with our FCwaveTM product.”

Fuel cells provide a zero-emission solution for the reduction of carbon emissions in marine vessels. Ballard’s FCwaveTM product was designed to leverage the Company’s technology and critical components already proven in existing product applications to ensure that it can withstand the rigors of marine applications while meeting all performance and safety requirements.

FCwaveTM offers compelling benefits to maritime customers, including:

• Industry-leading durability, with greater than 30,000 hours expected operating lifetime;
• High system efficiency >55%;
• Light weight at 4.4 kilograms/kW;
• Flexibility through modular components for scalable power;
• Extended range, limited only by the volume of hydrogen fuel stored onboard;
• Reliable performance;
• Safe operation; and
• Proven service model.

The company is currently engaged in the Type Approval process with DNV-GL, an international accredited registrar and classification society headquartered in Norway.