With the acceleration of the green transformation of the global energy structure, hydrogen energy has gradually emerged due to its zero-emission, high-efficiency, and renewable characteristics, and is regarded as the most promising clean energy in the 21st century. From hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell powered ships, the application fields of hydrogen energy are constantly expanding.
On October 11, 2023, the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1", jointly developed and built by Yangtze River Electric Power under the Three Gorges Corporation, China Shipbuilding 712 Research Institute, Yangtze River Three Gorges Navigation Administration and other units, completed its maiden voyage in Yichang City, Hubei Province, which is the first hydrogen fuel cell power demonstration ship in mainland China Classification Society. In early November, the ship was officially handed over to the Three Gorges Navigation Administration of the Yangtze River. In the past six months, how has the hydrogen boat performed? Please go with the reporter to visit.
The early morning sun shines on the Yichang River, and the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" is quietly moored at Gezhouba Wharf waiting to set sail, and the words "hydrogen energy" on the hull of the ship are impressive.
▲ The "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" preparing to set sail Photo: Hu Jiusi
Li Zhang, who has worked in the Three Gorges Navigation Administration of the Yangtze River for 8 years, has rich experience in boat driving, and because of his excellent professional level, he was included in the first batch of hydrogen boat crew members early. "I am both proud and excited to be the captain of the Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1. Li Zhang said, "In order to better 'run-in' with the hydrogen boat and adapt to its operating characteristics as soon as possible, we have carried out more than 100 special trainings, including the basic theory of hydrogen fuel ships, power system equipment operation and maintenance, ship operation, emergency response, etc." ”
Hu Shuo, from the Three Gorges Waterway Bureau of the Yangtze River Three Gorges Navigation Administration, said that since the "post" for half a year, the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" has insisted on sailing every working day, mainly for the Three Gorges reservoir area and the traffic between the Three Gorges and Gezhouba dams, the inspection of the reservoir area, daily drills, and the simultaneous development of scientific and technological research such as actual ship testing. "Up to now, the 'Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1' has operated for more than 192 hours and sailed more than 2,200 kilometers, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 68.04 tons, and the overall operation is good. ”
▲ Captain Li Zhang is operating in the cockpit Photo: Hu Jiusi
With a bell ringing, the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" slowly left the dock. Standing on the deck, the journalist barely felt any noise or vibration.
"The 'Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1' adopts a hydrogen fuel cell and lithium battery dual power system, equipped with two 500 kW propulsion motors, compared with the internal combustion engine of traditional fuel ships, the noise is greatly reduced, and the driving experience is quieter and more comfortable. Li Zhang introduced. Hydrogen fuel cells are highly efficient and environmentally friendly, generating electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and the main product is water, which means that, compared with traditional fuel ships, the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" has achieved almost zero emissions during navigation.
▲ Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and the main product is water Photo: Hu Jiusi
In addition to green, low-carbon and environmental protection, the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" also has excellent sailing capabilities, with a maximum speed of 28 km/h and a maximum cruising range of 200 km. Li Zhang told reporters that during the voyage, whether it is acceleration, deceleration or turning, the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" is very stable and flexible, thanks to the high efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells and the auxiliary role of lithium batteries, so that the ship can maintain a stable speed and course during the voyage. In addition, the ship adopts full intelligent perception technology, which can obtain the operation data of key equipment and facilities such as fuel cells, lithium batteries, hydrogen cylinders, and propulsion motors in real time, and the assisted driving function is more perfect, and the safety and experience are better.
▲ China Three Gorges Green Power and Green Hydrogen Demonstration Station Photo: Hu Jiusi
On the day of the interview, it coincided with the hydrogen refueling time of the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1". The energy supply station of the hydrogen boat - "China Three Gorges Green Power Green Hydrogen Demonstration Station" is located in Yangjiawan Wharf in the Three Gorges Dam District, which is the first inland wharf type hydrogen production and hydrogen refueling integrated station in China, using the clean electricity generated by the Three Gorges Power Station to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, and the hydrogen is directly supplied to hydrogen energy ships through compression, storage, filling and other links.
"The demonstration station is a supporting facility of the 'Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1', and it is also a prerequisite for promoting the safe application of hydrogen energy technology in inland vessels. Ye Qingping, director and researcher of the Yangtze River Electric Power Science and Technology Research Center, said. The demonstration station has the capacity of large and rapid hydrogen refilling, which can achieve 240 kg of hydrogen refueling per hour, meeting the needs of hydrogen fuel cell ships with a range of 200 kilometers.
"Up to now, the demonstration station has carried out a total of 75 process system operations and 28 ship bunkering operations, with a cumulative hydrogen production of more than 8,892 kg and hydrogen refueling of more than 3,468 kg. Zhang Xiaoxiong of Yangtze River Electric Power Hubei Electric Energy said.
▲ The staff is refueling the "Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1" Photo: Hu Jiusi
In recent years, in the context of achieving the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the mainland is accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation of transportation. The Yangtze River is the main artery of water transport running through the east-west traffic of the mainland, known as the "golden waterway", and the Yangtze River shipping has broad prospects in the construction of green transportation system such as the construction of ecological waterways and green ports, the conversion and utilization of clean energy from ships and shores, and the research of green and low-carbon technologies. In the future, CTG will continue to focus on key industrial links such as hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, hydrogen refueling, and hydrogen use, and provide more assistance to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of Yangtze River shipping.
The author of this article: Xiang Shan Hu Jiusi