Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Toyota Motor has reached an agreement to supply its hydrogen fuel cell technology to a consortium led by Corvus Energy that is developing maritime fuel cells, aiming to power zero carbon emissions shipping.
Energy storage firm Corvus Energy is set to start development and production of sustainable, large-scale maritime hydrogen fuel cell systems, at a base located in Bergen, Norway.
Thiebault Paquet, director of the Toyota Motor Europe Fuel Cell Business Group, commented, “Decarbonization is inevitable, and at Toyota we are convinced that hydrogen will play a central role in creating a better future, both environmentally and economically.”
Corvus Energy CEO Geir Bjorkeli added, “Adding fuel cell modules to our product portfolio is a natural step for Corvus and advances our vision to be the leading supplier of zero-emission marine solutions. Fuel cell technology has reached a maturity level where scale-up of systems will be the next step. Toyota is in the forefront of the development and is by far the best partner for us to make this a success.”
The consortium aims to showcase its first marine fuel cell system onboard a vessel in 2023, and to be ready for commercial delivery from 2024.
Other consortium partners include energy firm Equinor, the two shipowners Norled and Wilhelmsen Holding, the ship design company LMG Marin, the NCE Maritime CleanTech cluster, and the state-run University of South-Eastern Norway.
The state agency Innovation Norway has also provided funding of around €5.2 million (US$6.2 million) for the project.
