Exeter Port Authority (UK) took delivery of a hydrogen hybrid electric workboat made and designed by Ecomar Propulsion.

The boat was launched into Exmouth harbour in Devin, England and is currently in the final stages of fitting out. A team from Ecomar Propulsion are currently installing the last items on the innovative new power system and they are doing it whilst she is afloat!

The boat, MV Dirac, is named after one of the UK’s greatest science minds, Paul Dirac, who won a Nobel prize for his work in quantum physics.

“We called her Dirac because we think that she represents the best of British engineering and innovation,” said Ecomar Propulsion CEO Eugene Bari. “It is fitting that she starts her working life in the South - West where there is a centuries old tradition of seafaring and ground breaking innovation.”

MV Dirac is based on a NATO Combat Ready Boat but she has been radically redesigned internally. She is powered by two 250kW Ecomar Kairos motors and holds 180kWh of Li Ion Batteries which are supplemented by a 40kW hydrogen fuel cell that extends the range of the vessel considerably.

“Making refuelling easy was a key priority,” said Ecomar Propulsion’s CEO Eugene Bari, “Most small ports can’t afford to invest in hugely expensive infrastructure. With our approach the need to invest is massively reduced and it is possible to use this vessel in any port with road access.” 

The hydrogen is supplied in hand-portable bottles which are similar in size and weight to the ones most people use for barbeques or patio heaters. They are easily replaced, and operators can store as many as they need onboard. This means that it is possible to recharge the vessel whenever and wherever necessary and fuel can be delivered to the quayside in a standard van.

“The beauty of this method of hydrogen refuelling is that the port doesn’t need to install expensive equipment. We can carry the bottles to the boat by hand. Where it is available, we can easily charge the batteries directly from the pontoon supply, so it makes the move to clean energy really easy.” Said Grahame Forshaw, Exeter Port Authority’s Harbour Master.

Working alongside the Port and Ecomar, Exeter University’s Centre for Clean Future Mobility will be gathering data from the vessel as she enters an extended period of trials over the next few months.

“We hope to be able to prove to the workboat community that the transition to clean maritime is easy and safe and above all financially viable. We understand that people have reservations about range and safety but the reality is very different from perception and we hope to be able to demonstrate that with the cooperation of forward thinking ports, Ecomar Propulsion can lead the world in decarbonising our waterways,” continued Eugene Bari.

The Dirac will be operating at ports across the UK for at least the next 12 months. She is due to move to Scotland in early 2025 where she will enter service with Forth Ports for a trial period before returning to Devon.

Ecomar Propulsion are also working on a number of other vessels including a hydrogen survey vessel in Wales and a series of electric and methanol  powertrains for vessels up to 100m. Ecomar previously took a 30 year old boat off the scrap heap and turned it fully electric. That boat is already in full time operation in Shoreham, powered by solar panels and shore power and has not missed a day of service since she was commissioned.

“The only way to convince people that the technology is viable is to show them. Investors, operators, government and everyone who has an interest need to understand that the revolution is happening now. Climate change is real but it can be slowed or even reversed if there is investment in appropriate technology. It doesn’t need to break the bank’” continued Bari.

Harbour Master and team taking their first look at the Dirac.

Over the next few months the Ecomar team will continue to upgrade and modify the systems as she enters regular service with the Port. By the time the trial is complete she should be able to cope with all the work done by combustion powered boats.

Once Dirac is fully commissioned she will be seen all along the River Exe and the team from the Port and Ecomar are keen to explain how it all works. “Ecomar aim to set up a series of discussion sessions around the River Exe over the next few months. Change requires a two way dialogue, we want to provide answers where we can and also to see what we can learn to make things better for everyone.” Continued Bari.

With fewer than 50 hydrogen vessels globally the Dirac represents a step towards a carbon free future for boats. MV Dirac may not look like the start of a revolution but she certainly represents one.

Prof Chris Smith from the Centre for Future Clean Mobility said “We have worked with the Ecomar team for a number of years and helped them get their ground-breaking hydrogen-battery hybrid propulsion system designed and working. So, we’re delighted to see the fruits of all this hard work.”

Grahame Forshaw, Harbour Master said “The harbour team are excited about working with Dirac and putting the boat through its paces. The Exe is an excellent proving ground for this type of work due to the many different and varied tidal and weather conditions that we operate in so Dirac will certainly be working hard and proving the concept of clean energy propulsion for the time she is with us.”

 

CONTACTS;

Eugene Bari

exb@ecomarpropulsion.com

01329 230097

 

PRESSS VISITS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN DECEMBER and JANUARY. PLEASE CONTACT ECOMAR TO ARRANGE A VISIT