Hydrogen ICE outperforms PEM fuel cell in life cycle analysis

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Cantabria, Spain, APRIA Systems of Spain and ULEMCo in the UK. The two technologies were chosen as being promising for marine propulsion and were compared to the baseline of a diesel internal combustion engine.

Key differentiators in the life cycle analysis were the human toxicity potential associated with the raw materials production and the eutrophication potential, with the hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine performing significantly better than the PEM fuel cell.

The terrestrial ecotoxicity potential of the fuel cell was higher than the internal combustion engine in part due to the production of raw materials for its construction. The researchers note that internal combustion engines are made of common materials, such as aluminium, iron, and steel, while the PEM fuel cell requires unique components such as the membrane which had notable environmental impacts.

The Motorship notes that improving the raw materials impact of PEM fuel cells would require changes to current end-of-life recycling approaches.  

From a decarbonisation perspective, the hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine achieved reductions of between 45% and 72% in global warming potential and abiotic depletion potential elements compared to the diesel-fuelled engine, whereas these indicators increased for the PEM fuel cell.

The fuel cell produced no polluting emissions, and the hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine produced low levels (NOx), so both showed potential to promote shipping’s energy transition if cleaner production processes were to be implemented.

The researchers noted that their study was conducted at an early stage of technology development and that the life cycle analysis may change as the technology matures.