Brussels,
05
October
2020
|
10:08
Europe/Amsterdam

Toyota Motor Europe’s fuel cell module brings hydrogen to the wider maritime industry

Summary
  • Toyota fuel cell module already successfully tested aboard the Energy Observer boat (EO) over more than 7,000 nautical miles, including trans-Atlantic crossings
  • Toyota fuel cell technology integrated in Energy Observer Developments’ (EODev) Hydrogen Range Extender (REXH2), delivers zero CO2, zero fine particle emissions and noise-free maritime mobility
  • EODev installs their Toyota fuel cell based maritime REXH2 in HYNOVA Yachts and starts field demonstration tests.

2020, October 5th - The REXH2 is a modular maritime hydrogen power solution developed around Toyota's fuel cell technology. It has been succesfully tested in real open sea conditions aboard the Energy Observer boat for over more than 7,000 nautical miles including trans-Atlantic crossings. The hydrogen-electric hybrid technology in the REXH2 makes silent maritime and river mobility without emissions of CO2 or fine particles possible.

Last week, Energy Observer Developments presented this REXH2 in the HYNOVA 40, a 12m boat from HYNOVA Yachts, which can be used as a day-boat or a superyacht tender. While the Energy Observer boat’s main propulsion comes from electricity directly generated from sun and wind, the HYNOVA Yacht is a battery electric boat, supplemented with the Hydrogen Range Extender with the Toyota fuel cell at its core. With a capacity of 12 passengers, it is the first pleasure boat equipped with fuel cell technolgy and brings zero emissions, hydrogen-electric hybrid technology to the wider maritime industry.

The Toyota fuel cell module inside the REXH2 delivers up to 60 kW rated net power and is based on the existing fuel cell technology from the Toyota Mirai. The R&D carried out by the EODev and Toyota teams has made it possible to perfectly adapt the technology to the challenging conditions of the marine environment.

We welcome the opportunity to further expand the testing of our hydrogen technology to another maritime application. Following the integration of our Fuel Cell module in the Energy Observer boat, we have further adjusted the module to fit in the EODev Hydrogen Range Extender. Together with the EODev team, we can demonstrate that zero emissions and zero noise technologies for different types of mobility and power applications are already possible today. Making the different applications available is a great opportunity to decarbonise energy usage already today and contribute to the development of the hydrogen society
Thiebault Paquet, Director of the Fuel Cell Business Unit at Toyota Motor Europe.

With this kind of projects, Toyota is enhancing a wider business strategy around their fuel cell technology which has the flexibility to be adapted for a variety of uses. Together with the supply of fuel cell modules, the Fuel Cell Business Unit at Toyota Motor Europe provides technical support and expertise to guarantee the optimal use of the module. 

Toyota is integrating its fuel cell technology into a wide variety of applications including buses, trucks, generators and boats.