Fincantieri to build hydrogen hybrid ship

Italian shipbuilding firm Fincantieri has started building a hybrid ship that will use hydrogen and storage systems along with diesel fuel.

The Zeus — Zero Emission Ultimate Ship — will be equipped with two electric engines, two diesel generators plus batteries and a 130KW cell that will be fuelled by about 50kg of hydrogen. The cell and storage system will provide autonomous power for 8 hours at a speed of about 7.5 knots. The ship is expected to be completed by 2021, Fincantieri said.

Hydrogen could meet 23pc of Italy's overall energy demand in 2050 — or about 218TWh — although this could rise by 100TWh once generation from fuel cells is taken into account, a recent study by Italian gas grid operator Snam concluded.

By Fabio Roccon