10/09/2024 by Mark
US-based oil major Chevron has announced that a hydrogen-powered ferry it has supported has begun carrying commercial passengers across San Francisco Bay in California.
The new catamaran has been named Sea Change, and it is powered using hydrogen fuel cells, which produce electrical energy by converting the chemical energy from hydrogen and water, with heat and water being the only by-products.
Moreover, there are also little or no indirect carbon emissions when the hydrogen fuel is produced using green technologies. The pilot project demonstrates how it is possible to decarbonise the maritime industry while avoiding the lengthy recharge times that would be needed with battery-based electrification.
The general manager for hydrogen at Chevron, Michael Hoban, said about the potential of hydrogen as a fuel:
“As the technology and policies advance, we expect that the use of hydrogen will also grow, specifically in these use cases that are hard to electrify. A strong spirit of partnership will be needed to do this well and to do it at scale.”
SWITCH Maritime owns the Sea Change, but Chevron, which also makes the Texaco grease and lubricant range, supported the project financially to help make it a reality.
Other organisations that contributed to the innovative project include United Airlines, Blue & Gold Fleet, and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. Blue & Gold Fleet are crewing the vessel, while the Water Emergency Transportation Authority are managing the ferry service between downtown San Francisco and the Pier 41 ferry terminal.
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