South Korea’s first commercialised hydrogen electric boat officially unveiled
South Korea’s first commercialised hydrogen electric boat has been unveiled at the 2021 Busan International Boat Show, winning the event’s Best Boat of the Year award. Developed by Vinssen, the Hydrogenia vessel is powered by a Danfoss Editron electric drivetrain and sub-system, according to Danfoss's release.
In late 2020, the South Korean government announced a US$870 million initiative to encourage the development of eco-friendly shipping to reduce pollution caused by the country’s marine sector. The 2030 Green Ship-K Promotion Strategy, a central part of South Korea’s plans to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050, specifically targets the advancement and wider use of low-carbon ship technology, including hydrogen fuel cells and propulsion systems. The initiative has set a goal of reducing the country’s shipping greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in the next 25 years and 70% by 2050.
Hydrogenia is 32.8 ft long, has a maximum capacity of six people and can operate at 10 knots for six hours. The vessel’s futuristic design is based on the geometric shape and natural beauty of glaciers and rocks. It has undergone testing and demonstration at the Ulsan Hydrogen Realisation Centre, South Korea's only demonstration facility specialised in hydrogen piping supply. The vessel has also been presented to the country’s leader President Moon.
Danfoss Editron’s electric drivetrain system includes an EMI machine, electrical inverters and DC-DC converters. The company’s compact and lightweight technology enables space and weight savings, leaving more design freedom in small vessels such as Hydrogenia. The high efficiencies offered by Danfoss Editron’s system are also advantageous for shipbuilders as they deliver better operational performance.
Vinssen is planning to build a further 50 boats using similar hydrogen electric technology over the next year. The successful application of Danfoss Editron’s unique multiple-parallel inverters in a single machine will be used as a benchmark to deliver larger marine projects, such as ferries and tugboats.
About Danfoss Editron
Danfoss Editron specialises in hybrid and electric powertrain systems for the marine, off-highway and on-highway markets. A business division of Danfoss, it develops and manufactures high-performance power systems for heavy-duty vehicles, machines and marine vessels, based on its unique synchronous reluctance assisted permanent magnet technology. Danfoss Editron powertrains deliver market-leading efficiency and are suitable for hybrid and electric applications within the power range of 30kW to 2,000kW.
Danfoss EDITRON is the complete electric drivetrain system developed by the company. It is controlled by powerful software that optimises each individual component of the electric or hybrid drivetrain, leading to far more intelligent management of power distribution in order to deliver maximum efficiencies for the end user.
With operations in Finland, Denmark, China, the United States of America and most recently Edinburgh, UK, Danfoss Editron has assembled an award-winning team to work on the technologies that will enable the world of tomorrow to do more with less.