Cutting-edge developments in hydrogen storage, shipping applications, and certification

Hydrogen storage and shipping solutions – Hydrogenious Maritime

Dr. Daniel Meyer presented Hydrogenious Maritime’s vision and practical advances in enabling hydrogen-based propulsion for maritime vessels via LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers).

LOHC Technology

• LOHC stores hydrogen safely in benzyl toluene, eliminating the need for pressurized molecular hydrogen.
• The carrier fluid is reusable, non-explosive, and can be handled using conventional fuel infrastructure.
• Hydrogen stored in LOHC maintains high purity and is not released over time, even in long-term storage.
• Hydrogenious has operational experience in Erlangen, Germany, with a hydrogen refuelling station powered by photovoltaic electrolysis and LOHC-based storage.

Maritime demonstration projects

• HyNjord Project (funded by Enova, with Østensjø and Equinor): Pilot system with a 130 kW LOHC-based power unit for auxiliary use on an offshore support vessel.
• Ship-AH2OY Project (Horizon Europe-funded): Scaling up to a 1 MW LOHC fuel cell system for propulsion on CSOVs (commissioning service operation vessels) with 17 partners from 7 countries.
• Safety advantages over ammonia were emphasized, particularly for crewed vessels due to LOHC’s benign handling characteristics.

Value proposition

• Up to 98% CO₂ emissions reduction (from 539 kg/MWh to 10 kg/MWh).
• Compatible with existing liquid fuel infrastructure.
• Long-term commercialization goal set for 2028, after full system demonstrations.

RFNBO Certification for transport – Example of CertifHy

Mr. Christopher Kutz highlighted the increasing significance of RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) certification for hydrogen in regulatory and commercial contexts.

Certification overview

• RFNBO certification ensures compliance with RED II/III directives and supports differentiation of renewable hydrogen.
• Two key markets:
  • Voluntary market: Uses Guarantees of Origin (GO) and non-governmental certification schemes.
  • Compliance market: Tied to RED regulatory obligations using mass-balance tracking.
• CertifHy is an EU-recognised scheme for RFNBO, active since 2014, and formally approved in 2024.

Application and relevance

• Key stakeholders include hydrogen producers, traders, and fuel suppliers, especially those needing to meet transport sector quotas:
  • By 2030, 5.5% of transport fuel must be renewable, with a sub-target of 1% from RFNBOs.
• CertifHy supports compliance through modular certification along the hydrogen value chain (e.g., from electrolysis to final delivery).
• Compliance verification includes tracking GHG emissions and electricity source correlations.

HyTruck project context

• LBST supported regional planning for HyTruck’s German pilot, identifying infrastructure needs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
• Assessed hydrogen transport corridors and renewable gas infrastructure potential through 2050, with emphasis on stakeholder collaboration and EU-wide standardization.

Upcoming events and next steps

• European Conference on Hydrogen P2X, 11–12 June 2025, Copenhagen.
• European Hydrogen Week, Brussels, and Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe, Hamburg (Autumn 2025).
• Next HyTruck Breakfast Briefing: 2 July 2025, hosted by the Polish Alternative Fuels Association.

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