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Symposium Sailing on Hydrogen in Amsterdam
A large number of interested parties, stakeholders and experts on hydrogen applications in the Dutch inland shipping industry were present at the symposium Varen op Waterstof (Sailing on Hydrogen) that took place on the 26th of September 2007 in Amsterdam. Hot topic: the world’s first large green canal boat.
During the event knowledge of, experience with and insight into the hydrogen economy and fuel cell powered boat transport were shared.
Green canal boat
Special attention was given to the state of affairs of the ‘hydrogen boat’ being built by the consortium of Fuel Cell Boat BV for passenger transport in Amsterdam. The ‘green’ canal boat has a capacity of 100 passengers and is expected to be completed in early 2008.
Image: Kenneth Veenenbos
To enable this, the consortium will also place a fuel station to supply the boat with hydrogen. The required hydrogen will be produced by means of electrolysis on the basis of electricity from wind energy.
The great advantage of the hydrogen boat is its environment friendly character. It is a so-called ‘zero emission vessel’: absolutely no emission of detrimental substances such as CO2 takes place.
A world first
Small vessels operating on hydrogen already exist, but a commercially exploited hydrogen boat of this dimension is a world first.
“This step is a splendid example of the innovative vigour of the Dutch knowledge-based industry and a breakthrough in the field of sustainable energy”, stated Hauke Sie of Fuel Cell Boat. “The development and construction of this hydrogen boat is taking place in close dialogue with the involved governmental organizations, research institutions and companies".
Image: Kenneth Veenenbos
Organisation
The symposium was initiated by Fuel Cell Boat BV and organized in cooperation with the Energy Research Subsidy programme (EOS) of SenterNovem, an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and with the local government of Amsterdam-North.
The consortium exists of 5 companies: Alewijnse, Integral, Linde Gas, Marine Service North and the shipping company Lovers.
Topics
During the day topics ranged from practical fuel cell applications (speaker Henk Blaauw, Dutch Logistic Development) and hydrogen production and distribution (speaker Pascal Meyvaert, Lindegas) to safety and regulations issues (speaker Cees Mars, Amsterdam municipal government / Finn Vogler, Germanischer Lloyd).
Further debate
Image: Kenneth Veenenbos
The symposium ended with a lively interactive discussion and interesting statements that are
also featured online on Minds In Motion to evoke further debate!
More information and downloading of presentations: www.fuelcellboat.nl.
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