Internship | Maritime Energy Transition - Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier for Maritime Applications

About this internship

Based on recent developments in sustainable fuels, hydrogen (H₂) is considered a promising zero-emission energy carrier for maritime applications. However, hydrogen presents significant technical challenges in terms of storage, system integration, and especially energy conversion, ranging from combustion to electrochemical conversion in fuel cells. Although various hydrogen conversion technologies are being investigated individually, there is often a lack of a quantitative and technically consistent analysis in which the performance, losses, and design choices of different hydrogen conversion routes are thoroughly examined, specifically for maritime applications.

What will be your role?

The objective of this graduation project is to quantitatively analyze and model hydrogen-based energy conversion systems, with an emphasis on the underlying component performance and conversion mechanisms.

The analysis focuses on:

• Conversion efficiency at component and subsystem level.
• Technological maturity (Technology Readiness Level, TRL).
• Design and integration aspects of hydrogen conversion systems.
• Applicability within representative maritime load profiles.

Assignment tasks

Literature Review

• Overview of current hydrogen conversion technologies.
• Analysis of combustion and electrochemical conversion mechanisms.
• TRL analysis per conversion route.
• Critical evaluation of reported efficiencies and performance.

Semi-empirical Based Modelling

Development of semi-empirical models for:

• Hydrogen combustion systems.
• PEM fuel cell systems (PFSA and PFAS-free).

Modelling of:

• Activation, ohmic, and mass transport losses.
• Heat and water management.
• Complementation in MATLAB (Simulink) and/or Python.

Analysis and Comparison

Comparison of different hydrogen conversion routes based on:

• Efficiency and part-load behaviour.
• Mass and volume factors.
• Technical complexity and robustness.
• Identification of dominant design and operational parameters.

Validation and Sensitivity Analysis

• Validation of model results with experimental or literature data.
• Sensitivity analysis of dominant parameters (pressure, temperature, humidity).

What we expect from you

• You have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, for example automotive engineering, systems and control, electrical engineering.
• You are coursing a master in a relevant field, for example automotive engineering, systems and control, electrical engineering.
• Knowledge in Matlab/Simulink or python.
• You enjoy developing innovative solutions to technically challenging problems and have the right mix of intellectual curiosity and pragmatism.

What you'll get in return

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.