Isotta Fraschini Motori Ushers in the Fuel Cells Era
Isotta Fraschini Motori has inaugurated its new fuel cell production line at its plant in Bari, Southern Italy
Isotta Fraschini Motori and fuel cells have taken another leap forward in the direction indicated by the IFuture program. We took the first step together, accompanying the 16V170G across Italy during the Engine Road Show. Today, Monday, July 21st, marks the decisive step towards decarbonization, with the inauguration at the Bari plant of a production line dedicated to the development and testing of Isotta Fraschini hydrogen fuel cells, under the aegis of Fincantieri.
Isotta Fraschini’s fuel cells? A story rooted in the foundations of CIS
It is the Center for Innovation and Development (CIS, in the Italian acronym) that is the driving force behind this project. We were present at its presentation in April two years ago. Today, it is consecrated with the inauguration of the new production line, for applications in the civil and defense sectors.
Among the first applications is the marinized fuel cell module produced by IFM, which will be installed aboard the Viking Libra, the world’s first cruise ship powered by onboard stored hydrogen, used for both propulsion and electricity generation. The production line is part of the transformation of the Bari plant into a cutting-edge Technology Hub oriented towards Net Zero. With an integrated industrial ecosystem in mind, Isotta Fraschini Motori, with an economic commitment of approximately 30 million euros over five years, part of which is financed through IPCEI funds, aims to develop innovative zero-emission systems and significantly reduce its carbon footprint, also through energy recovery from the production process.
Fincantieri and Wave 2 Future
Today’s inauguration is part of the broader commitment of the Fincantieri Group to sustainable innovation through strategic projects like Wave 2 the Future, part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) “Hy2Tech” on hydrogen. The goal is to develop enabling technologies for the use of hydrogen in the maritime sector.
Isotta Fraschini Motori provides advanced solutions to global clients in the naval and industrial sectors, including the Italian Navy. A historical supplier to Defense, the company is a leader in the development of non-magnetic engines for minehunters and high-performance generators, designed to operate in extreme conditions with low magnetic and acoustic signatures.
