The company, founded by three experienced entrepreneurs, is in the process of refitting the fishing vessel Nobody’s Perfect. CEO Karl Manfredi remarked, "We are delighted to receive recognition once again at this year's event. The innovative strength of our proposal has been acknowledged."
Piacenza, Italy, September 13, 2024 – Hydrocell, based in South Tyrol and established by experts with over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, recently won the IHTA – Italian Hydrogen Technology Award in the "Innovation in Application" category. The award ceremony took place on Thursday, September 12, during the second edition of the Hydrogen Expo in Piacenza, Italy. The expo is the country’s first exhibition and conference entirely dedicated to the hydrogen technology supply chain, focusing on hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and a range of applications.
The award was granted in the "Retrofitting-Conversion" sector, with the jury's reasoning as follows: “The ambitious project of this South Tyrolean company aims to launch a commercial vessel in Venice by 2025, featuring a complete retrofit with a hydrogen-powered electric propulsion system. All technologies and components will be exclusively provided by Hydrocell. The company is also developing an integrated hydrogen propulsion system that continuously interacts with various components—such as fuel cells and storage systems—ensuring high efficiency and reliability under all navigation conditions."
CEO Karl Manfredi expressed the company’s excitement, stating, “We are very pleased and honored to be awarded by the Hydrogen Expo jury for the second consecutive year. Our integrated and modular control unit for hydrogen and electric propulsion systems, particularly within the maritime sector, has been recognized for its innovative strength. Beyond the award, the expo allowed us to establish new contacts and foster connections with markets in the U.S., South America, the Middle East, and Asia, alongside many European countries. Hydrogen is a key element in creating a more sustainable planet, and we have drawn on our extensive experience to contribute to this goal."
The IHTA awards aim to provide greater visibility—both nationally and internationally—and to recognize companies operating in the hydrogen technology sector. The awards highlight the professionalism, expertise, development, and strategic importance of these businesses, which play a vital role in the broader European and global economy.
Hydrocell's Innovation
Hydrocell has developed the "hyMAR" system—a modular, integrable hydrogen propulsion system. This intelligent system analyzes the unique characteristics of each engine, ensuring optimal and efficient management. The benefits of hydrogen are fully realized with this solution, including greater autonomy, quicker refueling, zero emissions, and reduced costs for long-range operations. The ‘hyMAR’ propulsion system is central to the refit of Nobody's Perfect, a 17-meter fishing vessel built in 1978 in Bordeaux. This vessel will host the first hydrogen-powered engine controlled by Hydrocell's innovative system.
The Three Founders
Hydrocell was founded by three entrepreneurs with extensive industry experience. CEO Karl Manfredi, former CEO of Brennercom, brings expertise in management, telecommunications, IT, and cloud computing. Company president Federico Giudiceandrea is an electronic engineer, founder of TTControl, co-owner of Microtec and Classic Boat Venice, and an expert in industrial electronics. He also previously served as president of the Alto Adige Entrepreneurs Association. The third founder, and current CTO, is Walter Huber, a chemical engineer and founder of the IIT Hydrogen Center in Bolzano. He is also a globally recognized hydrogen expert.
In 2023 and 2024, Hydrocell won the "Innovation in Application" award for maritime transport at the IHTA, following its third-place recognition in the Water Mobility category at the IoMOBILITY Awards last March.