In MARANDA project an emission-free hydrogen fuelled PEMFC based hybrid powertrain system is developed for marine applications and validated both in test benches and on board the research vessel Aranda, which is one of about 300 research vessels in Europe. Special emphasis is placed on air filtration and development of hydrogen ejector solutions, for both efficiency and durability reasons. In addition, full scale freeze start testing of the system will be conducted. When research vessels are performing measurements, the main engines are turned off to minimize noise, vibration and air pollution causing disturbance in the measurements. The 165 kW (2 x 82.5 kW AC) fuel cell powertrain (hybridized with a battery) will provide power to the vessel's electrical equipment as well as the dynamic positioning during measurements, free from vibration, noise and air pollution. One of the major obstacles for wider implementation of fuel cells in the marine sector is the hydrogen infrastructure. To alleviate this problem, a mobile hydrogen storage container, refillable in any 350 bar hydrogen refuelling station will be developed in this project. This novel solution will increase hydrogen availability to marine sector as well as many other sectors. The consortium of this project contains companies from the whole fuel cell value chain, from balance-of-plant components to system integrator and end user. The fuel cell system will be tested in conditions similar to arctic marine conditions before implementation to the target vessel. In addition, long-term durability testing (6 months, 4380 operating hours) of the system will be conducted at an industrial site. The project will increase the market potential of hydrogen fuel cells in marine sector, which have for long lagged behind road transportation. General business cases for different actors in the marine and harbor or fuel cell business will be created and therefore the impacts in the whole industry will be notable.

HYDRAITE project aims to solve the issue of hydrogen quality for transportation applications with the effort of partners from leading European research institutes and independent European automotive stack manufacturer, together with close contact and cooperation with the European FCH industry. In this project, the effects of contaminants, originating from the hydrogen supply chain, on the fuel cell systems in automotive applications are studied. As an outcome, recommendations for the current ISO 14687 standards will be formulated based on the technical data of the impurity concentrations at the HRS, FC contaminant studies under relevant automotive operation conditions, and inter-compared gas analysis. The methodology for determining the effect of contaminants in automotive PEMFC system operation will be developed by six leading European research institutes in co-operation with JRC and international partners. In addition, a methodology for in-line monitoring of hydrogen quality at the HRS, as well as sampling strategy and methodology for new impurities, gas, particles and liquids, will be evolved. Three European laboratories will be established, capable of measuring all of the contaminants according to ISO 14687 standards, and provide a strong evidence on the quality and reliability on their result. Beyond the project, the three laboratories will offer their services to the European FCH community. In addition, a network of expert laboratories will be set, able to provide qualitative analysis and the first analytical evidence on the presence or absence of these new compounds with potential negative effect to the FCEV. The efficient dissemination and communication improves the resulting data and input for the recommendations for ISO standards of hydrogen fuel. The project and its results will be public, to boost the impact of the project outcomes and to enhance the competitiveness of the European FC industry.

RealHyFC gathers key actors of the whole PEMFC value chain to overcome crucial hurdles towards industrial empowerment on heavy-duty (HD) applications, mainly for land transport while expecting benefits for ships, trains or aircrafts. The technical issues precluding a rapid and wide adoption of PEMFC on HD applications are linked with reliability and versatility of the stacks. RealHyFC will bring knowledge and experimental feedback on two key levels: stack design and stack operation. Regarding stack design, carbon and metallic technologies will be investigated on efficiency and lifetime issues, local degradation and mechanical properties. Unpreceded direct comparison will be possible thanks to the adaption of an open-design made for metal to carbon-composite case, with developments on bipolar plates and balance of stack. RealHyFC will eventually deliver a public open-design platform with demonstrated high efficiency and durability under HD application conditions. For long-lasting operation, the diagnostics and monitoring of stacks are crucial to preclude damages on performance or components: RealHyFC will bring new solutions based on improved physical degradation models allowing to develop virtual sensors algorithms to optimize fuel cell operating conditions and hybridization strategy. Final validation, by demonstration of lifetime improvements thanks to an adjusted control chain, will be done following system-representative simulation and experimental approaches towards durability-oriented operation in HD environment. The outcomes of the project are strongly linked with the industrial world and settings carrying relevant PEMFC use. RealHyFC will enable the development of cost-competitive, reliable and durable fuel cell technology. To this extend, an exploitation strategy will foster industrial empowerment, alongside dissemination and communication towards technical audience and large public.