The Korean Register (KR) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with STX ES and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for a joint research and development of solid oxide fuel cell technology for ships.
The MoU was signed to jointly develop a next-generation power generation system by sharing and application of technologies and research resources among each other to comply with IMO environmental regulations.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is a low-carbon, high-efficiency renewable energy power generation facility that produces electricity through the electrochemical reaction of oxygen and hydrocarbons from oxidising LNG.
SOFC will be incorporated in ship designs as a power generation facility and is being evaluated as a possible way to reduce greenhouse gases.
Under the MoU, each company plans to apply their strengths, such as enacting and revising technical standards to fit SOFC on ships, and deriving and performing joint research tasks.
STX ES will be in charge of developing and supplying SOFC systems for ships.
DSME will manage the onshore testing and evaluation of SOFC systems for ships and the SOFC ship application concept research, and demonstration project planning and execution while KR will evaluate and certify the technical capabilities of SOFC products for ships, and revise related regulations for safe ship mounting and operation.
The aim of the joint cooperation between the three companies is to successfully standardise the technology and commercialise SOFC’s for ships, allowing the technology to be applied to different types of ships in the future.
