The Advanced Technology Division of Bath Iron Works (BIW) and the Energy Research Corporation (ERC) have partnered to develop an advanced carbonate-based fuel cell energy plant for defense marine applications. The partnership is an effort to improve ship electric power generation (also known as ship hotel power), with the development of the high efficiency Direct Fuel Cell (DFC) Ship Service Fuel Cell.
"The establishment of this alliance marks the beginning of a process we believe will lead to the development of the first new power generation technology for surface ships since nuclear power was adopted for aircraft carriers," said Jerry Leitman, president and CEO of ERC.