Marine Innovations Accelerator
Developing a zero carbon energy system
How
OceansLab are integrating important technologies required to decarbonise the maritime sector. The Lab is mid-development of an advanced fuel cell and renewable hydrogen system that is highly scalable to accelerate uptake of fuel cells and zero-carbon fuel solutions.
Why hydrogen?
The OceansLab energy system embraces the power of the hydrogen cycle, vital in decarbonising maritime transport
Enables high capacity storage of renewable energy through electrolysis of water
High energy density: 1kg of hydrogen has the energy equivalent to 3 kg of diesel
No greenhouse gas emissions: only water is released as a by-product
The hydrogen cycle
Solar PV
The Lab is prototyping a performance monitoring system and an applied coating to provide a safe, non-slip and durable solution, whilst maximising on light efficiency
- Active power monitoring of multiple modules
- Daily solar energy absorption
- Module efficiency and functionality
- Improve safety and confidence
- Enhanced low-light performance
- Low weight
Research Projects
Fluid simulation of fuel cell pack
- Status: COMPLETED
- Objective: Concept design and air simulation for fuel cell enclosure to ensure adequate ventilation
- Duration: 3 Months, Sep-Dec 2019
- Students: 4 x Mech Eng MASTERS students
- Academic Supervisor: Nicolas Oliver
- Industrial Supervisor: Phil Sharp
- OceansLab Contribution: Enclosure design optimised for ventilation, air-integrity and safety
Solid & liquid hydrogen storage
- Status: UNDERWAY
- Objective: Research study with experimental work to define competitive alternative storage technologies for motive applications, such as ammonia reformation / filtration, boron-hydrides
- Duration: 9 Months, Jan-Sep 2020
- Students: 1 x Masters student
- Academic Supervisor: Prof Nigel Brandon
- Industrial Supervisor: Phil Sharp
HFC feasibility and market study
- Status: UNDERWAY
- Objective: Hydrogen fuel cell market research and review
- Duration: 9 Months, Jan-Jul 2020
- Students: 7 x Engineering Yr3 students
- Tutor: Vincent Felix
- Industrial Supervisor: Phil Sharp