New Clean Electric Power Solutions for the Marine Industry

Advent Technologies has unveiled its new range of Serene Power Systems, an innovative clean power solution resulting from the synergy of the company’s High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells with a compact battery unit, designed to fulfill both primary and auxiliary power requirements for vessels.

Serene Power Systems integrate a compact battery, significantly smaller than traditional battery-only solutions, with a small fuel cell configuration operating on methanol or eMethanol. This combination not only serves as the primary power source for smaller vessels, including leisure boats, sailboats, ferries and inland river vessels, but also replaces conventional diesel generators, providing a clean and efficient power alternative for a wide range of marine applications. Furthermore, Serene Power Systems offer robust power capacity for supporting auxiliary loads on larger vessels and supply convenient shore power solutions for vessels at ports.

Leveraging Advent’s patented HT-PEM technology, Serene Power Systems are purpose-built for optimal performance with various fuels, including methanol, biomethanol, and eMethanol. Operating at high temperatures, they efficiently generate electricity while producing heat, significantly boosting overall efficiency, which can reach up to 85%. These systems exhibit exceptional resilience in diverse environmental conditions, spanning extreme heat, cold, humidity, and air pollution, operating within an ambient temperature range of -20°C to +50°C, all without the need for modifications. Methanol, a standout energy delivery and storage medium, excels as a superior hydrogen carrier, releasing hydrogen catalytically through a fuel reformer. Moreover, methanol offers the advantage of efficient storage and wide availability through existing infrastructure, with a distribution network akin to conventional fuels, establishing it as a safe and cost-effective marine fuel option.

Serene Power Systems offer several key advantages:

Customized for Every Vessel: Meticulously designed with modular flexibility, Serene Power Systems adapt to each vessel’s unique specifications, ensuring durability and simplicity while allowing for effortless customization.
Near Silent Operation: Operating in near silence, Serene Power Systems preserve the tranquility of the vessel experience by eliminating disruptive noise and vibration.
Minimal Maintenance, Cost-Efficiency: Advent’s innovative design significantly reduces the need for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO), sparing vessel owners from mid-journey engine servicing inconveniences and providing more uninterrupted time on the open waters.
Competitive Pricing: Efficiency extends to cost-effectiveness. Advent’s low-maintenance fuel cell solutions offer a competitive total cost of ownership, benefiting both the environment and the financial bottom line.
Effortless Refueling: Advent’s Serene Power Systems recharge themselves by converting liquid green methanol fuel into electric power. Advent is planning to introduce 100% green eMethanol, derived from green hydrogen and sustainable power sources, enabling vessels to harness the energy of the sun and wind.

Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou, Advent’s Chairman and CEO, commented: “We are delighted to introduce this groundbreaking solution that eliminates the need for recharging and the burden of lugging a heavy onboard battery. As methanol becomes more widely adopted in the marine industry, our purpose-designed systems for this environmentally-friendly fuel sets us apart. Serene Power Systems are designed to operate efficiently and cost-effectively at high temperatures, ensuring practical and trouble-free methanol utilization.”

Dr. Chris Kaskavelis, Advent’s Chief Strategy Officer, noted: “Serene Power Systems use liquid green fuel (methanol) and are much smaller and cheaper than battery-only solutions. Our goal is to make them as cheap and reliable as diesel generators, and to fuel with eMethanol made from green hydrogen. This way we achieve zero emissions and zero pollution at an affordable cost.”