PowerCell Wins SEK 21 Million DLR Order for Maritime Hydrogen Power System
PowerCell Group has secured a SEK 21 million order from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to deliver an integrated Fuel-to-Power system for maritime research facilities in Kiel, Germany, supporting the development of cleaner energy solutions for the shipping sector.
The order includes two Marine System 225 fuel cell systems, two methanol reformers, hydrogen buffer storage, gas mixing equipment and integrated system controls. Delivery is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, with commissioning expected during the first half of 2027.
The system will be installed at DLR’s maritime test facilities, where it will be used to simulate operating conditions for different vessel types and evaluate fuel cell performance across a range of maritime applications.
The solution is based on PowerCell’s M2Power platform, which has been adapted for DLR’s research environment. The integrated system converts methanol into hydrogen through a reforming process before using the hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity.
The project demonstrates the flexibility of PowerCell’s Fuel-to-Power architecture, combining standardised industrial fuel cell platforms with customised solutions designed for specific customer requirements.
DLR will use the system to reproduce maritime operating profiles ranging from steady-state conditions to dynamic load cycles. The data generated will help improve understanding of fuel cell performance and support wider adoption of fuel cell technologies for marine propulsion, auxiliary power and port energy applications.
The project is part of the German zero4cruise initiative, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and aims to advance zero-emission solutions for maritime transport.
Richard Berkling, Chief Executive Officer of PowerCell Group, said the collaboration with DLR highlights how established fuel cell platforms can be adapted for different energy pathways and specialised applications.
He added that the operational knowledge gained through the project will help accelerate the deployment of integrated fuel cell systems across the maritime sector.
Sören Ehlers, Institute Director at the DLR Institute of Maritime Technologies and Propulsion Systems, said the new test facility will allow researchers to investigate ship-specific operating conditions and evaluate fuel cell systems under realistic maritime scenarios.
The project combines PowerCell’s fuel cell technology with methanol reforming systems supplied by MReformer. The partnership aims to demonstrate how methanol-based hydrogen production and fuel cell power generation can work together under real-world maritime operating conditions.
Xavier Torres, Managing Director of MReformer, said the project brings together complementary technologies to evaluate integrated methanol reforming and PEM fuel cell solutions as the maritime industry continues its transition towards lower-emission energy systems.
The collaboration between PowerCell, DLR and MReformer reflects growing interest in hydrogen-based technologies as shipping companies and researchers seek scalable alternatives to conventional marine fuels.
