The XM-1, a scalable hydrogen-based fuel cell, solution for maritime industry. Hypermotive
Hypermotive Limited, a UK-headquartered company offering solutions for cleaner, greener transport, has launched XM-1, a unique platform that brings hydrogen fuel cell-based power generation capabilities to the maritime industry. The platform is backed by Honda and marks the Japanese company’s foray into hydrogen fuel cell technology in Europe.
With the transportation sector contributing a fifth of global CO2 emissions, efforts are underway to reduce the industry’s dependence on fossil fuels. The rising adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is a major sign of progress made in this direction. However, EV technology has only been able to support the transition to road-based transportation and that of smaller to medium-sized vehicles.
Fossil fuels are still in demand for long-haul transport carried through trucks or container ships due to their higher power density, no requirement for recharging, and easy availability worldwide.
Amongst renewable energy sources, only hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels, and the Hypermotive-Honda collaboration is a major advance aimed at the maritime industry.
What is XM-1?
Hypermotive refers to the XM-1 as a universal solution that can meet the demands of the maritime industry’s commercial operations while meeting the urgent need to make the industry more sustainable in the long run.
The XM-1 is a scalable and modular hydrogen fuel-cell-based energy solution used on maritime vessels, including workboats, motor yachts, ferries, and cruise ships. The technology can be fitted to new and existing vessels across various applications and cargo, helping the industry transition to a cleaner fuel.
In a press release, Hypermotive said that the XM-1 system could be easily installed, maintained, and upgraded and operates on a cybersecurity-compliant platform.
This is enabled by Hypermotive’s SYSTEM-X technology, an entire ecosystem of hardware and software products designed to facilitate a transition to hydrogen fuel cell-based systems. This includes fuel cells, compressed gas storage systems, connecting power systems to their applications, and making all this information accessible via the cloud.
Different views of the XM-1 system engineered by Hypermotive, designed by Honda. Image credit: Hypermotive.
Backed by Honda
Safety and reliability are equally important at sea, and a sustainable energy solution must also address these constraints. Hypermotive has teamed up with Honda to deliver a system that can face the demanding conditions at sea.
The compact system has been designed by Honda and engineered by Hypermotive. It promises durability and versatility across a wide range of applications, including fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), commercial vehicles, construction machinery, and more.
“Honda has been focusing on the potential of hydrogen energy since the 1980s, and we are excited to now be collaborating with innovators like Hypermotive to create robust, efficient solutions for a variety of energy and power needs.” said Ingo Nyhues, Deputy General Manager Europe Business Planning & Development at Honda Motor Europe in the press release.
“We understand the growing pressures and immense challenges of our customers, especially when it comes to reducing emissions.” added Adam Huckstep, CEO of Hypermotive.
“Addressing these demands with the need to control costs and ensure optimum safety and reliability is no mean feat. Leveraging our expertise in hydrogen systems and collaborating with industry leaders like Honda has enabled us to meet those challenges head-on and create new opportunities in the sector.”
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Ameya Paleja Ameya is a science writer based in Hyderabad, India. A Molecular Biologist at heart, he traded the micropipette to write about science during the pandemic and does not want to go back. He likes to write about genetics, microbes, technology, and public policy.