Ricardo - Experts & Thought Leaders

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd's Register, the global provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, for the design of its cutting-edge multi-megawatt containerised fuel cell power plant solution. RFC500 design, build, and test Ricardo designed and developed the technology as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping (sHYpS) project, for which the company is applying its expertise in the hydrogen value chain to implement innovative hydrogen technologies. Ricardo is the lead partner on the sHYpS project, which includes the specification, design, build, and test of a ~500kW net, 375kW gross power fuel cell module (RFC500) and the design of a 40-foot containerised multi-megawatt power plant that combines the outputs of several fuel cell modules.  Approval in Principle Ricardo is about to start testing the RFC500 module and is assembling its marine containerisation system The granting of Approval in Principle by Lloyd’s Register signals confidence that this technology has the potential to satisfy regulatory requirements and can be used more widely as a solution to support future decarbonisation across the maritime industry.    Ricardo is about to start testing the RFC500 module and is assembling its marine containerisation system in its new, purpose-built fuel cell facilities at its Shoreham Technical Centre in the UK.   Decarbonisation Jason Oms O’Donnell, Managing Director of Automotive & Industrial at Ricardo, said, "This represents a significant achievement in our progress to support our customers in the maritime industry with the technology to enable them to deliver on their decarbonisation strategies." He adds, "AiP allows us to progress with a roadmap for full regulatory compliance with our containerised solution. It gives confidence for investment and signals that there are no major obstacles to future certification or classification." Sustainable mobility Jason Oms O’Donnell continues, "We are investing in our hydrogen capabilities, and in particular, we are seeing a lot of interest from customers in the maritime, aerospace, and off-highway sectors for the services that we provide." He further stated, "It’s an exciting time to be involved in supporting sustainable mobility, due to the significant changes that are taking place, based on regulatory and legislative requirements. We are well-placed to support our customers with their future decarbonisation journey."  Hydrogen testing capabilities This is the latest example of Ricardo’s capability in hydrogen technology supporting decarbonisation in the maritime industry. On 7 May 2024, Ricardo announced the expansion of its hydrogen testing capabilities for global clients through investment in facilities at its Shoreham Technical Centre in the UK to develop testing of large-scale marine engines.

Ricardo is working to support clients in the maritime sector, developing innovations and exploring new hydrogen activities to help decarbonise the industry.    Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, is expanding its capabilities in the global maritime sector, supporting clients with the design, development, and testing of large-scale propulsion systems, including multi-stack fuel cell technology.   Hydrogen test facility In January 2021 Ricardo announced that it had opened a brand new £2.5 million hydrogen test facility at its UK headquarters in Shoreham-by-Sea, doubling its capacity to deliver hydrogen testing for global clients. The company has confirmed that it has invested in the conversion of an existing building on-site to facilitate the development of testing for large-scale marine engines.  Hydrogen and fuel cell services and solutions Ricardo’s experience and capabilities gained over several years as a market pioneer in hydrogen testing Clients within the maritime sector will benefit from the new facility, as well as Ricardo’s experience and capabilities gained over several years as a market pioneer in hydrogen testing. The conversion will deliver state-of-the-art facilities to support Ricardo’s development of hydrogen and fuel cell services and solutions, being delivered to global customers.   Importance of safe implementation Jason Oms O’Donnell, Managing Director of Automotive and Industrial at Ricardo, said, "Hydrogen offers a real alternative to supporting decarbonisation in several industries, including maritime, commercial vehicles, off-highway and aerospace where the combination of high-value assets, the longevity of fleets and the importance of safe implementation of new technology means that these sectors can be challenging to decarbonise." He adds, "Our expertise and experience in the design, development, and test of innovative new propulsion systems means that we’re at the forefront of innovation in this area, advising customers, across the whole spectrum of services from life cycle analysis, supply chain, and logistics to turnkey design, development and integration." Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping project Jason Oms O’Donnell continues, "Ricardo’s involvement in the Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping (sHYpS) project means we are applying our world-renowned expertise in the hydrogen value chain to implement innovative hydrogen technologies safely to help the global maritime sector achieve long-term decarbonisation goals." He concludes, "We are pioneering the specification, design, build, and test of a 375kW fuel cell module and the design of a 40-foot containerised multi-MW power plant that combines the outputs of several fuel cell modules. This latest expansion of our capabilities will help us to deliver future projects."

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, is working with the sustainable HYdrogen powered Shipping consortium (‘sHYpS') to design and develop hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technologies to power the next generation of zero-emissions passenger ships. The project involving 13 partners in six European countries will accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a renewable fuel in the maritime industry. The work has been funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK Government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee.  375kW fuel cell module Experts in hydrogen technology and integration, Ricardo is pioneering the specification, design, build, and test of a 375kW fuel cell module and the design of a 40-foot containerised multi-MW power plant that combines the outputs of several fuel cell modules. The containerised solution is intended to be installed on board passenger ships. Zero-emissions solutions This project is at the forefront of innovation, with the prospect of using hydrogen fuel cell technology" Adrian Schaffer, President of Emerging Mobility at Ricardo, said, “The shipping industry is facing considerable challenges to find a solution to achieve zero-emissions navigation in line with future global regulatory targets." He adds, "This project is at the forefront of innovation, with the prospect of using hydrogen fuel cell technology to support the industry in meeting its sustainability objectives." Hydrogen and fuel cell technology Adrian Schaffer continues, "We’re delighted to be part of the consortium creating and delivering innovation in this sector. Our involvement recognises our growing expertise and experience in hydrogen and fuel cell technology, where we are working with a range of customers to provide clean, efficient solutions, which reduce carbon and emissions across several sectors, including automotive and aerospace.” Impact of sHYpS Mike Biddle, Executive Director – Net Zero at Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said, “I congratulate Ricardo for their success in Horizon Europe and look forward to seeing the outcomes of the important work that sHYpS is doing." Mike Biddle adds, "I encourage anyone else who is considering applying to Horizon Europe to go for it. As Ricardo did, they can draw on UKRI guarantee funding while the UK awaits formal association to the EU programme and get advice and guidance from the network of UK Horizon Europe National Contact Points.” Increase efficiency, decrease complexity Ricardo’s expertise in multi-stack fuel cell systems delivers enhanced power density by volume and mass Ricardo’s expertise in developing bespoke, optimised, high power, multi-stack fuel cell systems delivers significantly enhanced power density by volume and mass. This has been a particular focus, given the space constraints of a passenger ship. It also provides an opportunity to improve system efficiency and reduce system complexity and cost through increased integration and reduction in component count.  Module testing  Ricardo will be engaging with consortium member Lloyd’s Register to initiate the classification process for the system in line with classification rules that are currently being developed. Testing of the first module will take place in Ricardo’s new 400kW hydrogen fuel cell test chamber, which forms part of the Ricardo global centre of excellence for hydrogen, de-fossilised fuels, and electrified transport engineering at the company’s UK headquarters.