PowerCell Group, the Swedish fuel cell manufacturer, has secured an order worth approximately SEK 21 million from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for an integrated Fuel-to-Power system to be installed at DLR’s maritime test facilities in Kiel, Germany.

PowerCell will deliver two Marine System 225 fuel cell systems, two methanol reformers, hydrogen buffer storage, gas mixing and integrated system control during the fourth quarter of 2026. Commissioning is scheduled for the first half of 2027.

The solution is based on PowerCell’s M2Power platform and has been adapted for DLR’s research environment. In this setup, methanol is reformed into hydrogen before being converted into electricity by the two Marine System 225 fuel cell systems. Methanol is a liquid at ambient conditions, which makes it easier to store and bunker on board than compressed or liquefied hydrogen — one reason it is among the fuel pathways being explored for shipping. PowerCell said the project illustrates how its Fuel-to-Power architecture combines standardized industrial platforms with application-specific adaptation.

DLR will use the system to reproduce operational profiles for different vessel types, ranging from steady-state operation to dynamic load cycles. The tests are intended to generate operational knowledge that can support the deployment of fuel cell systems across maritime applications. The backdrop is maritime decarbonization: international shipping accounts for roughly three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions by IMO estimates, and the International Maritime Organization has set a goal of net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. The order is part of the German zero4cruise project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, said: “DLR is one of Europe’s leading research organizations in maritime technology. This project builds on our proven M2Power platform while adapting the system to a specific customer application. It demonstrates how standardized industrial platforms can be combined with different fuel pathways to create application-specific energy solutions. The operational knowledge generated will support the deployment of integrated fuel cell systems across maritime applications from onboard propulsion and auxiliary power to port power.”

Sören Ehlers, Institute Director at the DLR Institute of Maritime Technologies and Propulsion Systems, said: “The test stand developed in zero4cruise represents a maritime operational environment, which enables us to investigate the possibility of testing the load profiles of different ship types in a maritime context. By performing testing at different stages, from steady-state operation to fully dynamic load cycles, we will improve our understanding and support our partners with this knowledge to facilitate implementation in the maritime sector.”

The project combines PowerCell’s fuel cell platform with methanol reforming technology supplied by MReformer.

Xavier Torres, Managing Director of MReformer, said: “This project combines complementary technologies in one integrated system. Together with PowerCell and DLR, we will evaluate methanol reforming and PEM fuel cells under representative maritime operating conditions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as these solutions move toward broader commercial deployment.”

Source: PowerCell tweet