Dhamma Blue H2 Smart ECU for Maritime Hybrid integration

The project focuses on the development and validation of a maritime Electronic Control Unit (ECU) designed to enable the safe, efficient, and interoperable integration of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems in zero-emission shuttle boats and water taxis. It builds on Dhamma Blue’s existing hydrogen-electric propulsion platform, already validated in real operating conditions and assessed at TRL 7–8, with the goal of advancing towards a scalable and commercially deployable solution.

The ECU will act as the central control platform, coordinating the fuel cell, battery system, electric propulsion, and hydrogen storage to optimize energy management, performance, efficiency, and operational reliability. By seamlessly integrating all hydrogen and electric propulsion components, the system will support the deployment of hydrogen-electric hybrid vessels with greater autonomy and improved operational capabilities.

The project directly addresses Challenge 4 by facilitating the integration and interoperability of hydrogen and electric propulsion technologies through an advanced control architecture. Validation activities will be carried out in both controlled and operational environments, demonstrating the ECU’s ability to manage complex energy flows and support real-world maritime operations.

By accelerating the transition from an advanced prototype to a pre-commercial solution, the project aims to remove key barriers to the adoption of zero-emission maritime mobility, particularly in operational segments where battery-only solutions face limitations in range, autonomy, and performance. The result will be a scalable technology that contributes to the decarbonization of maritime transport and supports the wider deployment of hydrogen-powered vessels.