Innovators Tackle Cruise Hotel Loads With and Without Fuel Cells

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported in September that the number of member cruise line ships with the ability to use shore power has nearly doubled since 2018.

Today, 166 ships are able to plug in at port, a 12% increase from the prior year. These ships represent 58% of the fleet and 65% of capacity.

By 2036, 273 ships that can connect are expected to be in service.

As part of the EU’s Fit for 55 decarbonization regulations, by 2030 major ports in Europe will be required to have shore power, which will further accelerate port infrastructure investment in that region.

But there are challenges for remote locations such as those in the Arctic, and researchers from the UK, Norway, and the Netherlands have designed a hybrid off-grid system that integrates wave and wind energy with hydrogen electricity conversion technologies.

Internal optimizations, employing multi-objective game theory provide intelligent energy management, shifting reliance from variable wind and wave inputs to optimized electrolyzer and battery operations without the need for a fuel cell.

Meanwhile, French engineering specialist GTT has teamed up with Bloom Energy and Ponant Explorations Group to develop an onboard system that does include a fuel cell to cover hotel loads and cut onboard emissions.

The system is slated to be installed on Ponant’s Swap2Zero cruise vessel by 2030. The vessel will be propelled by wind-assisted technology and fuel cells, and the new system is designed to cover lighting, hot water, and onboard services - while capturing CO2 from exhaust gases.

With these initiatives, the cruise industry can expect to add to the growing list of vessels advancing air pollution goals.