PowerUP Energy Technologies, renowned for its advanced hydrogen fuel cell-based electric generators, today announced a strategic partnership with H2Boat, an Italian marine hydrogen technology company developing integrated solutions for onboard hydrogen production, storage and use. 

The collaboration brings together complementary technologies to provide a complete, integrated zero-emission energy solution for yachts and the broader maritime industry.

By combining H2Boat’s expertise in onboard hydrogen production, advanced metal hydride storage and marine system integration with PowerUP’s highly efficient proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell generators, the two companies are creating a fully integrated hydrogen energy ecosystem for boats, covering the complete energy cycle from renewable electricity to hydrogen production, storage and clean power generation on board.

“Hydrogen put a man on the moon, and we should use it right here on Earth to power our oceans” is the driving message behind the collaboration. PowerUP, which already boasts a strong partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), is effectively bringing space-grade energy innovation to the maritime sector. Combined with H2Boat’s marine-focused hydrogen technologies, the partnership aims to provide yacht owners and shipyards with a practical pathway towards quieter and cleaner onboard energy systems.

“As a lifelong sailor, I know firsthand the absolute peace of being out on the open water, completely in tune with nature. It’s like a guillotine dropping when you start a diesel generator,” said Dr Ivar Kruusenberg, CEO and Founder of PowerUP Energy Technologies. 

“For too long, there has been a glaring contradiction in our industry. You enjoy this silent, green yachting experience, yet the moment you need to manoeuvre into the harbour or require backup power, you have to fire up a noisy, polluting diesel generator that instantly ruins the magic. With this partnership, we are finally eliminating that compromise,” Kruusenberg said.

H2Boat, a spin-off originating from the University of Genoa, contributes its core expertise in marine hydrogen systems and proprietary metal hydride storage technology. Its solutions are specifically engineered for integration on board, addressing one of the key challenges for hydrogen in the maritime sector: storing hydrogen safely, efficiently and in a form compatible with the constraints of recreational and professional vessels.

“By partnering with PowerUP,  we can offer our customers an increasingly complete and integrated hydrogen energy solution, from production and storage through to clean electricity generation on board,” said Thomas Lamberti, CEO of H2Boat.

“Customers no longer need to approach hydrogen production, storage and electricity generation as separate technologies supplied by different vendors. Together, we can integrate these elements into one marine energy architecture, making hydrogen a more accessible and practical solution for the maritime sector.”

Beyond onboard technology, H2Boat is also developing local hydrogen production and refilling solutions with well-known maritime Clients in the Ligurian area and near the Swiss-Italian border, helping build the infrastructure needed to support the adoption of hydrogen-powered marine applications.

Through this strategic alliance, customers looking for reliable maritime power will have access to an integrated system capable of producing hydrogen from renewable electricity, storing it on board through H2Boat’s metal hydride technology, and converting it back into clean and silent electricity through PowerUP’s fuel cell generators.

The joint solution is designed to eliminate vibrations, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions, returning only pure water to the environment in a perfect application of the circular economy.

About PowerUP Energy Technologies
PowerUP Energy Technologies is an Estonian cleantech company that develops and manufactures cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell electric generators and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. With technology based on over 15 years of scientific research, PowerUP’s generators are compact, lightweight, and operate silently, emitting only water vapour. Serving diverse industries from marine to telecommunications, and even space exploration through its collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), PowerUP is dedicated to helping the world reach its global net-zero targets.
For more information, visit www.powerup-tech.com

About H2Boat
H2Boat is an innovative Italian company and a spin-off of the University of Genoa, founded by a team of researchers and engineers with the ambition to accelerate the transition towards clean hydrogen energy in the maritime sector. H2Boat develops integrated hydrogen solutions for marine applications, combining hydrogen production, proprietary metal hydride storage technology and onboard energy system integration. Its Energy Pack is designed to produce, store and use hydrogen directly on board, providing clean energy for hotel loads, auxiliary services and propulsion applications. By designing its technologies specifically around the constraints and requirements of marine vessels, H2Boat aims to make hydrogen a practical energy carrier for both sailing and motor yachts, enabling quieter, cleaner and increasingly energy-independent boating.
For more information, visit www.h2boat.it