Corvus Energy launches Maritime FC with Toyota technology

Energy storage specialist Corvus Energy introduced its fuel cell charging system using technology from Toyota. The Corvus Pelican fuel cell system uses four Toyota fuel cell modules and can be combined with Corvus batteries.

It has long been known that Corvus Energy wants to develop a system using Toyota technology – a similar collaboration was already concluded in February 2021. The Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System (FCS) has now presented results from the H2NOR research project initiated by Corvus Energy and Toyota with other partners. The goal was to accelerate the development and production of sustainable and scalable marine hydrogen fuel cell systems to contribute to safe, clean and efficient ships.

According to Corvus Energy, “selected pilot projects” should be possible this year, and type approval is also scheduled for 2023. The final Pelican FCS should be commercially available and delivered from 2024. However, the company has yet to provide specific performance data.

As Toyota’s fuel cell units are known by themselves (60 or 80 kW power, voltage range from 400 to 750 V, horizontal or vertical housing), the focus during the two-year development phase was on a pressure-resistant housing suitable for shipment in order to achieve the required level of safety at sea. The modular system is “inherently gas safe” – thus the surrounding engine room is gas tight in all conditions. This reduces the need for additional safety support and ventilation systems and allows efficient integration of the fuel cell system into the hull.

However, a fuel cell system still requires energy storage in the form of a battery – a fuel cell works best when the load is stable, and load fluctuations are stored by the battery. With “CoPilot”, Corvus Energy is currently developing an application that supports systems integration in optimally distributing energy between fuel cell systems and batteries. This should also increase the service life of the components and reduce the total cost of ownership.

“Our mission is to drive a clean future, and over the years we’ve created many different types of ships. However, batteries can’t get us to the bottom. If you want zero-emission ship travel, you have to bring clean energy with you in a different form,” says Geir Bjorkeley, CEO of Corvus Energy. “We firmly believe that hydrogen is the natural choice for short and medium distances because it is the most energy efficient method. Its level of safety, flexibility and modular design will revolutionize ship propulsion technology of the future.”

“Toyota is committed to a multi-technology strategy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in land and sea transportation,” said Thiabault Paquet, President, Fuel Cell Business, Toyota Motor Europe. Success depends on a holistic approach that combines hydrogen supply and demand into economically viable ecosystems. Shipping and ports are at the heart of such an ecosystem.”
Toyota MediaAnd corvusenergy.com (communication), corvusenergy.com (product page)