This project will develop an open standard for heavy-duty fuel-cell modules in terms of size, interfaces, control and test protocols, with the objective of kickstarting the use of fuel cells and hydrogen in the heavy-duty mobility sector, where electrification with batteries is impractical. Multiple modules may be integrated in a system, similar to AA batteries; this will allow using the same modules for multiple sizes. Combined with the standardisation across several sectors (road, offroad, rail, maritime, etc.) represented by participating OEMs, the same modules will address a large pooled market. The size of the market, and the availability of multiple module suppliers (8 in this project alone) will create a fair competition environment where OEMs may choose and change vendors, driving down prices and activating a virtuous cycle through economies of scale and achieving one of the main goals of the FCH JU's Work Programme in the heavy-duty mobility sector. This project will also produce prototypes form 8 leading FC vendors, which will then be thoroughly tested by two independent institutes for compliance with the open standards produced by the project itself. The project will feature significant dissemination and outreach activities, especially towards external OEMs that may become customers of the module suppliers.

The extent of shipping decarbonization and reduction of air pollutant emissions remains limited, despite the rapid development of greening technologies. This is particularly valid for existing inland vessels and coastal ships. A large scale retrofit of the fleet would accelerate the greening transformation. However, there is a wide variety of ship types with different power demands and different required volume of energy carriers. Alternative fuels require more space on board and/or more frequent bunkering. The bunkering infrastructure for such fuels is scarce, and their future price levels are uncertain. Most measures are associated with considerable investments. In addition, the existing regulatory framework still does not provide an adequate support. The question arises: which retrofit solution would be the most adequate for a ship of certain dimensions, type, and operational profile? To answer this question, the project SYNERGETICS (Synergies for Green Transformation of Inland and Coastal Shipping) will: - create synergies between the leading research institutions in ship hydrodynamics and energy transition, innovation centres and shipbuilding industry, regulatory bodies, ship owners, and technology providers with the goal to provide a catalogue of retrofit solutions which will accelerate the green transformation of inland vessels and coastal ships. - demonstrate the greening capacities of retrofit by implementing hydrogen and methanol combustion in internal combustion engines on selected existing ships in real life operational conditions; - address the greening potential of hydrodynamics improvements, by demonstrating the effectiveness of the aft-ship replacement which comprises the optimized shape of the aft part of the hull, duct, propeller, and rudder design, and implementation of exhaust gas after-treatment and hybrid propulsion systems; - contribute to electrification of fleets by further developing swappable battery container services and a system for power management of ships with hybrid propulsion.

The FLAGSHIPS project raises the readiness of zero-emission waterborne transport to an entirely new level by demonstrating two commercially operated hydrogen fuel cell vessels. The demo vessels include a new build in France (Lyon) and a retrofit in Norway (Stavanger). The Lyon demo is a push-boat operating as a utility vessel on one of the most demanding rivers, the Rhône, while the Stavanger demo is a passenger and car ferry operating as part of the local public transport network. In the project, a total of 1.2 MW of on-board fuel cell power will be installed and both vessels will run on hydrogen produced on-site with electrolyzers powered by renewable electricity. Gaseous (Lyon) and liquid (Stavanger) hydrogen will be used in the vessels' on-board hydrogen storage. Both vessels will be approved for safety. The project will cooperate over a broad base to complete the required safety assessment and approval for the two vessels, by applying and further developing the existing regulations and codes. The ship owners expect to maintain the ships in normal commercial operation after the 18-month demonstration period of the project and to this end, a solid support from local end-users and community has been gathered. The project will reduce the capital cost of marine fuel cell power systems significantly by leveraging knowhow from existing on-shore and marine system integration activities. European supply chains for H2 fuel and FC system technologies are strengthened by networking through the project. The consortium includes ten European partners, with two ship owners Norled (NO) and CFT (FR), and the maritime OEM and design companies ABB (FI), Kongsberg Maritime (NO) and LMG Marine (NO & FR). World-leading fuel cell technology is provided by Ballard Europe (DK) and vessel energy monitoring and management by Pers-EE (FR). Management and dissemination activities are provided by VTT (FI) and NCE Maritime CleanTech (NO), respectively.

The main aim of RH2IWER is to create a solid basis for the acceleration of hydrogen fuel cell powered vessels in inland waterway shipping by demonstrating six commercially operated vessels. These vessels are of varying lengths and types – 86m, 110m and 135m; container, bulk and tanker vessels with installed power ranging from 0.6 to ~2 MW. The project will also work with standardization of containerized fuel cell and hydrogen solutions. With the demonstration, standardization work and multi-level analysis, combined with vigorous dissemination and communication measures, RH2IWER project will create a basis on which the shipping industry can significantly reduce their environmental footprint and remove emissions from their entire fleet in the future. The inland waterway fleet comprises a total of more than 15,000 vessels and the vessels within RH2IWER are representative of the typical dry and liquid cargo vessels in the Rhine and Danube fleets, amounting to 12,800 vessels or roughly 80% of the inland waterway fleet. The lessons learned from developing fuel cell and hydrogen solutions for the vessels in this project could be applied more or less directly to these vessels, which would then immediately reduce the GHG emissions from these ships to zero. The consortium includes 14 European partners, with five shipowners Future Proof Shipping, Theo Pouw, VT Shipping, DFDS and Compagnie Fluviale de Transport with its affiliated entity Sogestion. The shipowners are supported by two of the main maritime fuel cell manufacturers Ballard Europe and Nedstackl, as well as world leading gas company Air Liquide and its affiliated entities Air Liquide Belge and L'Air Liquide SA. Lastly, highly respected knowledge institutions VTT, Stichting Projecten Binnenvaart and University of Genova with their affiliated entity H2Boat, will assist the companies in successful deployment as well as the dissemination, replication and exploitation of these demonstrations and technologies.

Contributing to reach the European Green Deal objectives and the Europe 2050’s goals, the SEANERGY Project aims to provide a solution for exploiting the untapped potential of EU-ports energy’s system by implementing the SEANERGY Master Plan which assesses stakeholders to execute the necessary activities towards transforming ports, regardless of their geographical context, into active members of the clean energy and fuel generation grid of EEZ. Activities such as training, reskilling, awareness spreading and communication channels creation, will set the basis of the green port transitioning, creating spaces of dialogue and teaching among all agents of the industry (private and public), which will, in turn, boost the development and integration of these technologies, along with prepared professionals that will be able to manage and implement them promptly, securely and efficiently. The SEANERGY project will be developed in 3 stages: (1) understanding of actors and port E&F systems and identifying limitations; (2) developing the Master Plan and Handbook, which will serve as a training manual for stakeholders, as well as implementing the Industry-Academy programme to train future professionals in clean energy technologies and fuels and how to apply the knowledge in ports; (3) expanding the scope of the Master Plan beyond Europe.