The introduction of fuel cells represents another dramatic step forward for the maritime industry, according to Royal Caribbean.
The US cruise giant says the industry has only made limited experiments using the technology, despite its wider use in other forms of transportation.
“We believe fuel cells offer very interesting design possibilities,” said Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean’s chief of ship design.
“As the technology becomes smaller and more efficient, fuel cells become more viable in a significant way to power the ship’s hotel functions.
“We will begin testing those possibilities as soon as we can, and look to maximize their use when Icon class debuts.”
Kulovaara said RCCL had been eyeing fuel cells for nearly a decade, and believes the technology is now at a stage of development that justifies investment.
“There is a long lead time for Icon class, and we will use that time to work with Meyer Turku to adapt fuel cell technology for maritime use.”
Kulovaara said that additional regulatory standards would also need to be developed for the technology.
British chemist, physicist and lawyer Sir William Grove is generally credited with inventing the first fuel cells in 1839.
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction of positively charged hydrogen ions with oxygen or another oxidizing agent.
Fuel cell systems are clean, very quiet and produce no exhaust gases other than water vapour. In addition, maintenance is minimal as there are very few moving parts.
