Marcin Hołub (MPOWER Technologie): We have proven that a Polish company can create a complete hydrogen system, one that will be used by a floating unit.

Is hydrogen the future of maritime transport? The creators of the first Polish hydrogen boat, “Cicha Moc,” share their insights on designing hydrogen systems and making the sale of hydrogen solutions financially viable.

Marcin, who has 19 years of research experience at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, completed his entire scientific career there, from a doctorate to habilitation, and served as deputy dean and a member of the university council. So, why did he transition from science to business, and why did he choose the niche and currently expensive field of hydrogen-powered devices?

Marcin, along with Michał, a brilliant student and later a PhD candidate, began developing solutions during their tenure at the university. They realized that since they were working on numerous interesting projects for other clients while at the university, it might be worthwhile to pursue such projects as a fully operational company. Thus, their company was founded in late summer 2019. “My name is Marcin, his name is Michał, so we called our company MPOWER – the power of two ‘Ms,’” says Marcin.

Other academics from Marcin and Michał’s alma mater also joined the team. 

Why did you focus on hydrogen? A young company, high risk in itself, and then there is expensive and uncertain hydrogen…

We certainly took a risk, especially since many people doubted the feasibility of such projects at the time. Our decision, made back in 2019, was considered risky, and even today we encounter skeptics who argue that hydrogen is overly expensive and complex, likening it to an inflated balloon destined to burst. However, we firmly believe that there are industries where hydrogen use is highly sensible and promising.

What industries and applications are these? 

In transportation, particularly on water, there’s a trend towards experimenting with various energy source combinations. Our partners emphasize electric propulsion for units and debate whether to rely on extensive battery systems or explore options to minimize battery size.

We’ve implemented both approaches with projects like the small recreational vessel, Cicha Moc, and a catamaran designed potentially for port operations and servicing nearby wind farms. As the only Polish company offering comprehensive drive solutions from inception to completion, we provide everything from voltage inverters and battery systems to motors. These solutions are conceived, constructed, and rigorously tested right here in Szczecin. They aren’t merely rebranded products from other suppliers but integrated like Lego bricks to form larger, cohesive systems.

Beyond maritime applications, we’re witnessing rising interest in stationary systems. We’re receiving inquiries from around the globe, including places like India and Turkey, for both small and large-scale systems that generate electricity using hydrogen rather than conventional liquid fuels.

Interest in hydrogen in India? Would you admit that this is surprising from Poland’s perspective?

I would advise not to underestimate Asia in general. Developments there are occurring at an impressive scale, surpassing what we typically see in Europe. In countries like India, the accessibility of the power grid varies significantly. Challenges arise where connecting to the grid is prohibitively expensive or the existing infrastructure is overloaded and slow to upgrade, prompting the search for alternative solutions.

Traditionally, internal combustion engine generators have been the go-to solution. However, these generators are noisy and emit exhaust gases, which can be disruptive and contribute to pollution, particularly in densely populated Asian cities. In contrast, hydrogen systems with fuel cells offer a quieter and cleaner alternative. The only moving parts that produce noise are the cooling pumps, making the devices significantly quieter. Moreover, they emit only water and heat, presenting a compelling environmental argument in heavily polluted urban areas in Asia.

Are journalists exaggerating, or is it true that your “Silent Power” was the first hydrogen recreational boat in the world?

In the category of recreational boats up to six meters, our boat was the first of its kind globally, though it wasn’t the world’s first hydrogen-powered boat overall. Previously, a 13-meter catamaran had been developed for certain Arab sheikhs, but it carried a price tag of several million dollars. In contrast, our unit cost just several dozen thousand zlotys.

Cicha Moc served as a pioneering example, demonstrating that a Polish company could successfully develop a complete hydrogen system designed for a floating vessel.

How did you achieve such a low price? 

We implemented a solution where the battery system on “Cicha Moc” was charged using hydrogen energy. This allowed us to use a smaller battery, reducing overall costs. The boat was equipped with our own electric drive system, featuring a 100-horsepower engine designed by us, with the hydrogen system serving as the onboard energy generator. A single standard 70 kg hydrogen cylinder extended the boat’s range by 33%.

First there was Cicha Moc, a recreational boat, now a hydrogen-powered catamaran. When building it, did you base it on the engine created for Cichej Moca or is it a completely separate solution?

The projects at the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) are closely connected to our work. PAN approached us to present hydrogen projects similar to “Cicha Moc” that have practical applications. PAN is pursuing an ambitious project focused on optimizing energy management systems with multiple energy sources.

For the catamaran project, it incorporates both a battery system and our hydrogen system. As part of the PAN initiative, they will also test generators using liquid fuels. Their goal is to determine the optimal management of diverse energy sources to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal environmental impact for such units.

Our role as a technology company is to supply the hydrogen component for the catamaran. Our system significantly increases the catamaran’s range by more than three times compared to its previous capabilities. This marks a substantial improvement over our previous project, “Silent Power,” which achieved a 30% increase in range. Our system, housed in a container, features a thirty-kilowatt component powered by nine to twelve compressed hydrogen cylinders, simplifying refueling by swapping out empty cylinders for full ones, akin to replacing printer ink cartridges.

The catamaran itself is noteworthy for its modular construction, enabling it to be transported in segments from the shipyard to the shipowner via land transport, which is more cost-effective.

Since we’re talking about money. Is it possible to make money on hydrogen?

I’ll start by saying this. Two years ago, when we participated in the hydrogen technology fair in Bremen, it occupied just one hall. We were there as the sole Polish company with our own stand. Last year, the fair expanded to four halls. Next year, due to its growth, the fair will relocate to Hamburg as the current venue cannot accommodate such a large event.

Moving from the broader context to our specific situation, we consider ourselves fortunate to have the backing of our investor, Ekoenergetyka Polska, Poland’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. How did this partnership come about? News of our establishment, MPOWER Technologies, began circulating quickly within various circles, especially in our power electronics community. At the outset, Ekoenergetyka Polska, based in Zielona Góra, expressed interest in us. After several meetings, both parties recognized our shared interests: for MPOWER Technologies, it meant gaining a strong strategic partner capable of significantly boosting our efforts, while Ekoenergetyka Polska saw an opportunity to leverage our unique competencies and skills within Poland.

In addition to Ekoenergetyka Polska’s support, we secured two EU projects through the West Pomeranian Operational Program for the development and implementation of hydrogen and electric machinery and drive systems. In December, we submitted further applications for EU funds and are eagerly awaiting responses, especially from the KPO, where many hydrogen-related priorities are outlined.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that the costs associated with hydrogen cells and the development of hydrogen projects are currently high, particularly in these early stages. Therefore, it’s important to note that for companies, the financial return on investments in hydrogen is not yet positive, unless Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are considered. This is why we utilize the EU subsidies we receive not only to advance our hydrogen solutions but also to support their implementation for our customers. When clients approach us for a product, they also benefit from subsidies that help finance these deployments.