Working together for the hydrogen transition

Hamburg is sending a strong signal for the hydrogen transition: with the move of the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) and the establishment of the Fuel Cell Integration Center (FCIC) at the ZAL TechCenter, a unique research infrastructure is being developed at the site, bringing the aviation and maritime sectors together in a systematic way for the first time. Within the framework of the Hanseatic Hydrogen Center for Aviation and Maritime (H2AM), Fraunhofer CML and the ZAL Centre for Applied Aeronautical Research are pooling their expertise to further develop hydrogen and fuel cell technologies under realistic operating conditions.

“Joint hydrogen research drives innovation in aviation and shipping,” emphasises Prof Dr-Ing Carlos Jahn, Head of Fraunhofer CML. The decision to locate the new fuel cell laboratory at ZAL was a deliberate one: “The excellently equipped laboratories, the existing infrastructure and, above all, the proximity to our aviation partners give us a significant advantage in terms of time and knowledge.” Both sectors face comparable challenges – ranging from safety requirements and refuelling infrastructure to extreme environmental conditions.

With the handover of laboratory and office space at ZAL to Fraunhofer CML, a location is being created where these shared challenges can be addressed interdisciplinarily for the first time. Researchers benefit from modern, light-filled laboratory spaces as well as specialised test rigs and testing environments. Planned facilities such as altitude and cryogenic chambers will enable investigations into material behaviour, system reliability and performance – for example at the extremely low temperatures of liquid hydrogen or under altered pressure conditions. Maritime applications involve additional stresses: ship motions, high humidity and corrosive atmospheres place particular demands on fuel cell systems and balance-of-plant components on board.

Against the backdrop of ambitious climate targets, hydrogen research is becoming increasingly important for shipping. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. Alternative energy carriers such as hydrogen, ammonia or methanol, along with highly efficient propulsion systems, are essential to achieving this goal. Fuel cells offer significant potential: they operate with zero local emissions, are quiet and highly efficient. In particular, hybrid propulsion concepts can deliver substantial efficiency gains on board ships.

Over the coming months, the planned Fuel Cell Integration Center will be expanded into a modular, flexibly scalable laboratory in which complete fuel cell systems and their balance-of-plant components for maritime applications can be systematically tested, analysed and validated. Working closely with industrial and research partners, solutions for sustainable, hydrogen-based value creation in mobility and energy will be developed here.

A key milestone has already been achieved: the hydrogen team at Fraunhofer CML has successfully commissioned a Nuvera E60 fuel cell with a nominal output of 60 kW. The focus was on system integration, commissioning, and control and visualisation concepts. Together with ZAL, a comprehensive test rig was set up containing all components required for integration – from the hydrogen supply and power electronics to the complete cooling circuit.

Hamburg is thus further strengthening its position as a leading location for applied hydrogen research. ZAL is becoming a central hub where the aviation and maritime sectors jointly lay the technological foundations for a climate-neutral future – practical, well-networked and with international reach.