Numéro : 2378 - Year : 2001
The new energy sources for submarines
Xavier ITARD, DCN
The development of AIP systems has been limited during a long time due to technology limitations. They are now coming back since a few years and are installed onboard some submarines.
The four existing systems proposed on the market each have their advantages and disadvantages, and are improving.
More improvements are expected, in particular in fuel cells technology, which begins to have civilian
applications. In order to be fully effective onboard a submarine, this systems needs the development of fuel oil reforming.
Energy storage systems are also improving with new technologies.
The association of efficient storage and AIP production system should improve the performances of the next generation of SSK with higher autonomy, but remain far away from nuclear powered submarines capacities.
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