New “BZM evo” AIP PEM fuel cells to be on 212CD submarines?

Following this January 11, 2021 article Anonymous kindly commented [with editing and photo/artwork added by Pete]:

Siemens has developed a new AIP PEM fuel cell module, known as “BZM evo”. The BZM evo  combines the advantages of the BZM34 (34kW) module and the BZM120 (120kW) module. The BZM evo module further optimizes power density [1,2].

A TKMS Type 212A submarine is equipped with nine BZM34 modules (ie. 8 x 34kW = 272kW and 1 backup). If a future Type 212CD is equipped with 12 BZM evos (ie. 12 x 40kW = 480kW), then a 212CD may show improved underwater performance compared with the current 212A [in terms of fully submerged speed and/or longer time fully submerged].

[1] See UDT’s 2020 Presentation at entitled “The 4th generation of Siemens fuel cell modules for submarine propulsion” by Michael Moersch, who is Sales Manager, Navy Vessels, at Siemens Gas and Power GmbH & Co. KG, Erlangen.

In section 2 of Moersch’s presentation he writes “A single BZM evo provides a nominal power of 40 kW. Future plants consisting of several single units will supply a maximum power of 320 – 480 kW into the grid without exceeding the footprint of an existing BZM34 or BZM120 plant.”

In section 4 of Moersch’s presentation he concludes: “The BZM evo is a further optimized system from the SINAVY Fuel Cells family/series and already Siemens` 4th generation after utilizing the first 3 generations on the German submarine FGS U1, HDW class U212A, TKMS class 214, Dolphin AIP and others.

Finding its place both on conventional submarines and on future applications like UUVs or AIEPs [air independent emergency propulsion] what is an "AIEP"?] will be Siemens’ utmost concern for the naval market.

The BZM evo is designed to fulfil the requirements of new systems and retrofits of older AIP plants and should be available on the market from 2023, or a year earlier for UUV integration.”

UDT’s 2020 Presentation displays the photos/artwork below, including:

Fig. 2. The new BZM evo.
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Fig. 1. The well proven fuel cell module BZM34.
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Fig. 3. Siemens’ land based demonstrator inside a UUV application.
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(and finally) Fig. 4. Live demonstration running certain mission profiles.
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[2] Type 212As are equipped with 9 x BZM34s without a pressure vessel and 2 x BZM120s with pressure vessel, respectively. Therefore Wiki article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_212_submarine where it states “2 HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells each with 120 kW [on] U32, U33, U34” is wrong. That is in the “General characteristics” section and in the right sidebar.]
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Pete Comment 

On balance it appears Type 214s use 2 x BZM120 modules (previously called FCM 120 modules).

See "SINAVY PEM Fuel Cells For Submarines" page 5. which states: "Submarines of Class 214 – operated by the Hellenic [Greek] Navy, Republic of [South] Korea Navy, Portuguese Navy, and in future by the Turkish Navy – are equipped with FCM 120 modules, which were developed in a later phase." and at page 9. "b: fuel-cell battery with FCM 120; coupling via converter at class 214 submarine".

Also called the BZM 120 on 214s at “Fuel Cell Propulsion of Submarines” by Dr. Albert E. Hammerschmidt, of Siemens AG, Erlangen.