New and flexible fuel cell technology can reduce emissions from shipping by 40 to 100%. Partners from shipping, R&D and oil and gas are now constructing a pilot system that can use different types of fuel.
The project was presented to the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, during a ceremony celebrating an expansion of the catapult centre yesterday.
The system will first be tested at the Sustainable Energy catapult centre in Norway before installation on board a chemical tanker.
The new technology opens for many different types of fuel, including green ammonia and LNG. With this flexibility, vessels can choose fuel according to availability. The main partners in the project are Odfjell, Prototech, Wärtsilä and Lundin Energy Norway.
Our tests show a CO2 reduction of as much as 40-45% when using LNG, compared to current solutions. Increased efficiency and reduced fuel consumption also provide significant cost savings, and the ship will be able to sail significantly longer on the same amount of energy. The system will also be ready to operate completely emission-free from the locations where, for instance, ammonia is available for bunkering
stated Bernt Skeie, CEO of Prototech.
The technology also enables direct capture of CO2, which will be yet another alternative for emission-free operation when logistics for CO2 management become available.
The project aims to establish a technology that can provide emission-free operation over long distances. Battery solutions are currently not suitable for operating ships that sail long distances, the so-called “deep-sea” fleet. This fleet consists of more than 50,000 ships globally, constituting a big share of international shipping.
Ships are to be operated for 20-30 years, and we need flexible solutions that can meet future emission requirements. We do not have time to wait, we have to think about zero emissions already now
highlighted Erik Hjortland, VP Technology at Odfjell SE.
Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, emphasizes the potential this project demonstrates:
So far, the project has been funded with support from Gassnova, NFR, and the participants themselves. Now the project is constructing a 1.2. MW prototype fuel cell that first will be tested at the Sustainable Energy catapult centre at Stord, Norway. After that, it will be mounted and tested onboard one of Odfjell’s chemical tankers.
