DRIFT Energy, a pioneer in ocean-based renewable energy, has signed a collaboration agreement with Enapter to adapt the design of their Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology for deployment at sea. The agreement was formalized during a visit by DRIFT’s CEO, Ben Medland, to Enapter’s production facility in Pisa, Italy, this week.
The partnership will accelerate development of the energy storage element of DRIFT’s technology ecosystem, paving the way for the production of over 30 energy ships currently on the company’s order book. Additionally, the technology will be available for other marine-based applications, including offshore wind, where the partners have identified strong potential for a mid-sized electrolyzer unit to produce green hydrogen offshore.
Ben Medland, CEO of DRIFT Energy said: “This project sees two companies working together to develop technology that will support decarbonization of the maritime and offshore industries. With marinized electrolyzer technology, we can drive forward the production of zero emission fuel at sea using our unique energy harvesting ships. It’s another significant step towards our vision of net positive ships, and I am very excited to see this technology come to market.”
Enapter is a market leader in commercialized AEM Electrolyzers and is at the forefront of research and development for AEM electrolysis, a type of water electrolysis technology used to produce green hydrogen. Marinization involves adapting the materials and components of the electrolyzer unit for use in the challenging marine environment. The design of Enapter’s AEM electrolyzer will be tailored to withstand vessel motions and delivered in a form factor suitable for ship installation.
Dr. Jürgen Laakmann, CEO of Enapter commented: “We are proud that DRIFT Energy has selected our AEM electrolyzer technology for its innovative energy-harvesting sailing vessels. After evaluating available options, DRIFT chose our modular AEM platform, reflecting the robustness and scalability of our system architecture. We truly appreciate DRIFT’s confidence in Enapter, and we look forward to working closely with their team as they bring this exciting offshore concept towards deployment.”
Enapter’s headquarters are in Germany, with significant operations and a production facility in Pisa, Italy, where the main body of development work for this project will take place.
DRIFT chose Enapter for their electrolyzer stacks’ robust design, which incorporates inbuilt redundancy essential for demanding offshore applications. The two companies are collaborating with classification societies to meet marine certification requirements and anticipate that the first unit suitable for maritime deployment will be ready in 2027.
