Design of World’s First Hydrogen-Hybrid Research Vessel Approved
Scripps Oceanography research vessel will use liquid hydrogen fuel cells to enable zero-emissions operation
Credit: Glosten
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approved the preliminary design of a first-of-its-kind hydrogen-hybrid research vessel that will join the fleet at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography when completed.
The vessel’s design was developed by naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten. Approval of the preliminary design shows that it meets technical requirements and safety standards, and lays the groundwork for the expanded use of zero-emission hydrogen-powered propulsion at sea.
The ship will feature an innovative hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system that will allow it to operate with no greenhouse gas or other emissions for 75% of its missions – and for all of its time operating in state waters. For longer missions farther offshore, extra power will be provided by clean-running modern diesel generators. The zero-emissions-capable vessel represents a major step toward advancing California's pledge to reduce global climate risk while transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy and making progress towards the University of California’s climate action goals.
The ship, now known as the California Coastal Research Vessel (CCRV), will be dedicated to California research missions to observe and measure biological, chemical, geological and physical processes including research to better understand fisheries, harmful algal blooms, severe El Niño storms, atmospheric rivers, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and oxygen depletion zones. The vessel’s findings will help protect California’s coastal environment from climate change impacts while demonstrating hydrogen's critical role in California's carbon-free future.
“Our goal is to produce a fully-capable ocean-going research vessel that meets the needs of our scientists and students, and demonstrate that this can be done in a way that absolutely minimizes its impact on our environment,” said Bruce Appelgate, associate director of Scripps and head of ship operations and marine technical support. “This will be a world-class oceanographic research vessel that aligns with our institutional values for protecting the planet."
The California Coastal Research Vessel will also serve as a vital platform for hands-on learning. As a student-centered, research-focused public university, UC San Diego considers seagoing experiences a cornerstone of educational programs. The vessel will be integral to training the next generation of scientists, leaders and policymakers.
The new 125-foot vessel will replace Research Vessel Robert Gordon Sproul, which has served thousands of University of California students in its 43 years of service but is nearing completion of its service life. The California Coastal Research Vessel will be equipped with the latest instruments and sensing systems, including acoustic Doppler current profilers, seafloor mapping systems, midwater fishery imaging systems, biological and geological sampling systems, and support for airborne drone operations.
As the first liquid hydrogen-powered ship in the United States, the California Coastal Research Vessel required the development of an entirely new regulatory framework, setting important precedents for the technical standards governing the construction and operation of hydrogen-powered ships.
“ABS is proud to use our industry-leading insight into hydrogen as a marine fuel to support this project,” said Gareth Burton, ABS senior vice president of global engineering. “The CCRV has the potential to make a significant contribution to the wider adoption of hydrogen, a promising alternative fuel for the maritime industry.”
During the vessel’s preliminary design, Glosten worked closely with the American Bureau of Shipping as well as the U.S. Coast Guard to inform regulations and ensure the new liquid hydrogen-powered research vessel complied with them.
“Our challenge was to harmonize the requirements of a modern research vessel with evolving regulations and novel technologies for liquid hydrogen fuel. Ensuring the hydrogen systems were safely arranged without compromising the utility of the vessel was like putting together an intricate puzzle,” said Glosten’s Robin Madsen, the lead marine engineer on the project.
In 2021, under Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni Atkins’ leadership, California state legislators allocated $35 million towards the development of the vessel. In March 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom visited Scripps’ Nimitz Marine Facility to learn more about the vessel’s innovation. Of the CCRV, he said “California continues to lead the way in clean energy innovation, and this vessel is another step in transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy. It’s great to see UC San Diego and Scripps Oceanography lead the hands-on education, training, and scientific research we need to tackle the climate crisis.”
Additionally, last fall the Department of Energy (DOE) chose California as one of seven hydrogen hubs, or regions where the agency will fund coordinated networks of hydrogen fuel producers, purveyors and consumers. A University of California-backed consortium called the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, or ARCHES, led the state’s application to DOE, and will steer up to $1.2 billion in federal funding toward 39 hydrogen infrastructure projects up and down the state. The California Coastal Research Vessel is considered a Tier 1 marquee project for the hub, eligible to receive additional funding towards the project.
In 2018, Glosten, Sandia National Laboratories, and DNV completed a feasibility study funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration that became the genesis of CCRV. The study evaluated the technical, regulatory, and economic feasibility of the Zero-V concept, a vessel powered by fuel cells and liquid hydrogen designed to meet performance and environmental criteria established by Scripps. The study confirmed that a hydrogen-powered research vessel was possible, and in 2022 the Office of Naval Research supported the preliminary design effort under Award N00014-22-1-2765 (any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research).
The team at Glosten is currently progressing the California Coastal Research Vessel to the next phase of its design process and will assist Scripps as it begins its search for a contractor to complete the vessel’s construction.
About UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography:
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego is one of the world’s most important centers for global earth science research and education. In its second century of discovery, Scripps scientists work to understand and protect the planet, and investigate our oceans, Earth, and atmosphere to find solutions to our greatest environmental challenges. Scripps offers unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders through its undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. The institution also operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels, and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
About Glosten:
Glosten is a full-service consulting firm of naval architects and marine, electrical, production, and ocean engineers. The firm’s design experience includes research vessels, tugs, barges, passenger and car ferries, and special-purpose platforms. Glosten has provided design and engineering support to the oceanographic research community for more than sixty years, working with scientists and operators to provide economical designs that are optimized for marine science operations, location-specific environments, and energy efficiency. Glosten has supported Scripps Institution of Oceanography with engineering and design work for their oceanographic research fleet, including the midlife refit of the R/V Roger Revelle, modifications to the R/V Sally Ride, Melville and New Horizon, and the design of the recently retired FLoating Instrument Platform (FLIP). Glosten was awarded the contract to develop a concept-through-production-level design package for the CCRV in 2022.