PowerUp Energy Technologies and H2Boat Partner to Replace Diesel Generators on Yachts

PowerUp Energy Technologies and H2Boat announced a partnership to deliver an integrated zero-emission energy system for yachts and maritime vessels, combining PEM fuel cell generators with onboard hydrogen production and metal hydride storage. Startup Researcher reported the partnership on October 20, 2026.

How the PowerUp and H2Boat System Works

The joint solution is designed to cover the full energy cycle, from renewable electricity to hydrogen production, storage, and clean power generation on board. H2Boat contributes expertise in marine hydrogen systems and proprietary metal hydride storage, while PowerUp Energy Technologies supplies PEM fuel cell generators. The partners seek to remove the need for vessel owners to source hydrogen production, storage, and electricity generation from separate vendors.

H2Boat, a University of Genoa spin-off, engineers its metal hydride storage technology specifically for onboard integration within the space and weight constraints of recreational and professional vessels. The partnership is intended to eliminate the vibrations, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional diesel generators. The joint system returns only pure water to the environment.

Dr Ivar Kruusenberg, CEO and founder of PowerUp Energy Technologies, described the experience of starting a diesel generator as a sharp disruption to the peace of sailing. He argued that the partnership finally removes the contradiction between enjoying a silent, green yachting experience and relying on noisy, polluting backup power. Kruusenberg also noted that PowerUp's space-grade energy innovation, developed in part through collaboration with the European Space Agency, is now being applied to the maritime sector.

Thomas Lamberti, CEO of H2Boat, said the alliance allows customers to receive a more complete and integrated hydrogen energy solution, from production and storage through to clean electricity generation. He emphasized that customers no longer need to approach these capabilities as separate technologies supplied by different vendors. According to Lamberti, combining the elements into one marine energy architecture makes hydrogen a more accessible and practical option.

Beyond onboard technology, H2Boat is developing local hydrogen production and refueling solutions with well-known maritime clients in the Ligurian area and near the Swiss-Italian border.

PowerUp Energy Technologies Funding and Partnerships

According to akta.pro company records, PowerUp Energy Technologies closed a €10 million Series A in November 2025 led by Mercaton and ScaleWolf with SmartCap Green Fund participation, earmarked for production scaling, R&D, higher-density fuel cell models, and European and North American support hubs. The same records list total funding of $11.6 million at Series A stage, with the last round dated November 25, 2025. The company states it has 20 years of experience in fuel cell technology.

The same records show PowerUp Energy Technologies signed Greener InfoTech Systems as a strategic expansion partner in March 2026 to drive hydrogen adoption across the Scandinavian market. In May 2025, the company formed a distribution partnership with Vogt-CTE GmbH for the DACH region, serving the security and rescue sector throughout Europe. A Nordic distributor partnership with Farco AS for Norway followed in April 2025.

H2Boat's Refueling Work in Liguria

H2Boat is developing local hydrogen production and refueling solutions with maritime clients in the Ligurian area and near the Swiss-Italian border, intended to help build the infrastructure needed to support hydrogen-powered marine applications.