Voller Fuel Cell On Board
seanseamour on Nov 09 2007
[~Jan~~15~]
Voller ARC transatlantic crossing with the Emerald Fuel Cell, BMY Sailing and Sports News has published an account based on the ship’s blog, see ARC. Voller Energy Emerald yacht celebrates finish in St Lucia
[~Nov~~9~]
Voller Energy, the UK based fuel cell specialists are leading the way in future yacht design with a concept yacht that is completely powered by fuel cell technology. Voller Energy teamed up with the internationally acclaimed yacht designer, Ken Freivokh to develop a ground breaking model and modern ‘way of working’ for future yacht design. This study concentrates on a 55 foot concept cruising yacht powered by a 5 kilowatt fuel cell. The Emerald fuel cell, manufactured by Voller Energy, is alternative green technology that can realistically replace the traditional diesel generator. The prototype yacht shows the way ahead in development and specification, integrating ethical, environmentally friendly design practices into the marine world. This is an important consideration in an industry reliant on people being able to enjoy their craft in clean, natural surroundings.
Ken Freivokh is the founding designer of Ken Freivokh Design. The company is the exclusive designer for many of the world’s most prestigious boat builders and also undertakes ‘one off’ projects including the stunning Maltese Falcon and Leopard 3. The designer is very much at the forefront of yacht design and supports the expansion of fuel cell technology into the yachting world, ‘a future yacht in five years time will be aimed at designing the whole yacht round a cell and accommodating a fuel cell will be standard issue in the marine design industry’, Ken Freivokh.
The Fuel Cell System
It cannot be overlooked that the quick win in environmental conservation is just to use less energy. Ideally however, technology can help maintain a sustainable environment without compromising on performance of the yacht and in relation to some specifications even enhance the sailing potential. The overall goal of the concept yacht is to elevate the sailing experience whilst protecting our environment using a safe, reliable and low maintenance fuel cell system.
Fuel cells work on a simple principle. The chemical energy in hydrogen is converted into electrical energy. Hydrogen is combined with oxygen from the air across a special membrane to produce electricity, heat and water. The electricity is then used to recharge batteries, the heat can be piped away for use in water and space heating and the waste water is directed back into the system to aid in the reforming process. In fact for every kilowatt of electrical power produced, over 1 kilowatt of heat is also generated – essentially doubling the efficiency of the system. Using high efficiency fuel cell systems that are completely harmless to the environment - producing no toxic emissions - is an important step along the path to the ultimate solution a zero carbon economy
Voller has developed ‘low cost fuel processor technology’ which can extract the hydrogen found in LPG, Calor Gas or Propane. Voller’s ‘Emerald fuel cell system’ is globally the first to run from these fuels. The fuel processor only produces hydrogen on demand promoting a higher efficiency system. Inputs and outputs to the fuel cell system can be closely monitored using software written by Voller Energy. Via modem and Voller Energy software the fuel cell can be monitored remotely at all times.
Technical Capabilities / Benefits
Voller Energy perceives that fuel cell technology will be of significant design impact in the 40 to 50 foot yacht range and therefore selected a 5 kilowatt fuel cell which is capable of producing 120 kilowatt hours in a 24 hour period. The fuel cell is able to sustain everything from propulsion to air conditioning and is backed up by the battery bank, prolonged motor sailing is even a viable option.
The user also experiences a number of additional benefits including:
Reduced volume of the product – width 80cm, height 59cm, depth 54cm
Quiet operation - low noise and vibrations
Significant reduction in overall weight – total weight of 140 kilos
Reduced maintenance – one filter change after 1,000 hours
Safe – automatic shut down if system detects malfunction
Reliable – product development cycle
Remote diagnostics – via modem and Voller Energy software
Environmentally Friendly – no toxic emissions are produced
Stephen Voller, CEO Voller Energy explains why the fuel cell is such a realistic alternative form of energy production, ‘it is the potential reliability and ease of maintenance of the fuel cell which are its main attributes to the boating world, due to the nature of this leisure pursuit during passages you can be a long way from a service yard and need to trust and rely on your chosen electrical supply’.
The fuel cell can also be supported by other renewable technology in the form of solar or wind power. The fuel cell is not an exclusive technology for a clean future it is instead capable of acting as a hybrid, promoting the use of green technology with natural resources.
Design Layout
Below decks for example a watermaker, freezer / fridge, electric oven, navigation / entertainment system can be run and also on deck; navigation / deck / underwater lights, electric winches, hydraulics, windlass and telemetry. The 5 kilowatt peak output will support all of these systems running at the same time if there is a requirement to do so. This is a rare luxury on board yachts which are traditionally limited by power output parameters. Yachts can be a comfortable platform for passengers to relax rather than always being restrained in power usage, relying on shore power and generator produced electricity.
In future yachts there will be no need to house a sizeable diesel generator, the fuel cell is instead compact and light weight with considerably reduced vibrations, noise and smell. Due to no moving parts involved in the system it has a very low maintenance requirement.
Traditionally innovation of interior layouts has been limited due to a lack of usable space, but the compact dimensions of the fuel cell now allow designers more available interior volume. This simple notion of increased interior available for design layouts is a positive step for yacht designers looking to optimize the general arrangement of cabin layout and promote passenger comfort. Diesel generators require maintenance e.g. an oil change after just 150 hours and therefore need to be readily accessible. Instead the fuel cell works on a ‘fit and forget’ theory whereby the system is fitted and then left alone, only after 1,000 hours does one small filter need replacing. A control panel including a detachable LCD read out screen is included with Voller’s Emerald system, using a cable the LCD screen can be placed anywhere on the yacht visually representing that the fuel cell is functioning effectively for the user. These attributes increase the designer’s scope as to where the fuel cell can be stowed.
Yachting related technology continues to evolve at a very quick pace and yacht designers aspire to include these innovations within their designs. For all the electrically reliant equipment to function effectively there must be considerable reliable power output. The Emerald fuel cell is very reliable at providing sufficient electricity on demand and is a key element in designers being able to push the boundaries of yacht design.
All manufacturers of electrical equipment are under pressure from regulatory bodies, concerned by environmental degradation predictions, to increase the electrical efficiency of new technology. This will prompt a trend into the specification of future onboard equipment being more electrically efficient. Voller Energy has taken this trend into consideration, the fuel cell only functions on demand and therefore no energy is wasted. This is a highly efficient system that will easily provide all electrical needs of yachts in years to come, as well as boasting environmental and user benefits.
Voller Energy and Ken Freivokh are leading the way forward in yachts designed to completely function off fuel cell technology. This is a clear step in the direction of an environmentally friendly yacht, an initiative that will be warmly welcomed by the global boating community who aim to minimize the destructive effects we can all ultimately have on our delicate world.
The realistic and very positive factor with fuel cell technology is that the overall cruising comfort and sailing potential of the yacht is in no way jeopardised. In fact the interior volume of the yacht is increased leading to a more passenger orientated cabin layout and higher sustainable energy output can support a greater number of electrical components on deck, actually increasing the overall potential of the yacht at sea.
Voller Energy looks set to be a major player in the International marine industry and will inevitably be a leading force in stimulating yacht designers into the next stage of design by acknowledging the market potential of a green, clean, higher calibre yacht of the future.
Voller Energy will be featuring the stylish, next generation 55 foot concept yacht on their stand 01.444, hall 1 Europahal at the Marine Equipment Trade Show, November 13 - 15. All press are invited to attend during show hours.
Yacht Specifications
Length over all: 55ft – 16.7m
Length Waterline: 52ft – 15.8m
Beam max: 16ft – 4.9m
Draft: est. 10ft – 3.1m
Displacement: est. 15t (subject to building material)
Figures subject to change
Image: © Ken Freivokh, 2007
