Marine

World's first hydrogen powered hybrid ferry combines hydrogen, solar, wind and diesel power

World's first hydrogen powered hybrid ferry combines hydrogen, solar, wind and diesel power
Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
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Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
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Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
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Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
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Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
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Rendering of the New York Hornblower Hybrid (Image: Statue Cruises)
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Hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more commonplace on our roads and now the world's first hydrogen powered hybrid ferry is set to take to the water off New York. Following on from the 2008 launch of the San Francisco Hornblower Hybrid that runs on a combination of solar, wind and diesel power, the new 1,400-hp New York Hornblower Hybrid adds another energy source to the mix with hydrogen fuel cells to complement its clean Tier 2 diesel engines, solar panels and wind turbines.

Due to be completed in April 2011, the New York Hornblower Hybrid will generate power from a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that turns hydrogen into electricity. The solar panels and wind turbines will help power the vessel, while the diesel engines will kick in to cover additional energy needs.

When completed, the 600-passenger New York Hornblower Hybrid will feature an outdoor sundeck and two interior decks, including one with glass walls. Its eco-friendly construction materials include recycled glass countertops, LEED-certified carpet and aluminum wall coverings. Additionally, LED video screens and lighting will help minimize energy use, while long-life, low VOC (volatile organic content) paints will cover the vessel's exterior.

Both the San Francisco Hornblower Hybrid, which was the first hybrid ferry in the United States, and the New York Hornblower Hybrid were created by San Francisco-based Hornblower Cruises & Events, which also operates Statue Cruises.

"By combining hydrogen, solar and wind power, Hornblower will minimize its environmental impact as we transport guests to popular national landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Our goal is to reduce emissions to the greatest extent possible, with a goal in the future to eliminate them entirely during a cruising day," says Terry MacRae, CEO of Statue Cruises and Hornblower Cruises & Events.

MacRae also says the technology used in the HornBlower Hybrid is scalable to other hybrid ferries, hybrid yachts and even hybrid tug boats.

"This is a genuinely breakthrough project, not only for us but for the U.S. marine industry. This boat will produce minimal carbon emissions and sip, rather than guzzle, diesel fuel. Along the way it will help make New York harbor a cleaner, safer and more pleasant place," said Gavin Higgins, Vice President for Business Development at Derecktor Shipyards, which is constructing the ferry in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

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4 comments
4 comments
Plasma Junkie
This is nonsense. Hydrogen is not an energy source. At best it\'s a bad store of energy. Hydrogen is expensive to make both in terms of energy and economic costs. Typical electrolysis of water consumes 4 times the energy remaining in the liberated hydrogen. Once you have the hydrogen it\'s painful to store as it\'s prone to leak. If they\'re using hydrogen as the storage for their wind turbines and solar panels, they\'d be better off just using batteries.
Leong Hee Chan
I just like this report and hopes for mankind is just getting better! Perhaps H2O would be a great shot for future energy for all of us! If we can technologically separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from water we can max out to give great energy from water too!
Anumakonda Jagadeesh
Hydrogen is the future ENERGY CARRIER and this is a novel application.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
Gator
I don\'t see any evidence of wind power? How is the hydrogen produced because that is a relatively inefficient process, and/or uses hydrocarbons.
Monohulls aren\'t particularly energy-efficient, and it seems that if they wanted to really reduce energy consumption they would go with a catamaran design like those in Brisbane and the Solar Sailor www.solarsailor.com.