(NEWS) WMU Hosts Conference on Ammonia and Hydrogen as Maritime Fuels

May

2023

WMU Hosts Conference on Ammonia and Hydrogen as Maritime Fuels

On 3-4 May, the World Maritime University (WMU) hosted The Nordic Maritime Transport and Energy Research Programme (NMTERP)conference on Decarbonization of the Nordic Maritime Industry. The Conference brought together policy makers, industry and academia to discuss the way forward in maritime decarbonization.

WMU’s Head of Research, Professor Aykut Ölҫer, welcomed the participants and provided a presentation about WMU, highlighting the need for education and capacity building in the success for global decarbonization of the maritime industry. Opening remarks by Klaus Skytte, CEO Nordic Energy Research, underlined the unique position and opportunity for the Nordic Region in spearheading the energy transition. As the keynote speaker, Jacob Haugegaard, Director for Climate & Green Transition, Danish Maritime Authority, highlighted the importance of the impending IMO negotiations at the 80^th session of the MEPC in terms of grasping the opportunity for decarbonization of international shipping.

The conference included detailed presentations and discussions of the results obtained in the three NMTERP-funded research projects: Ammonia Electric Marine Power for GHG Emission Reduction (AEGIR), Concepts of Ammonia/Hydrogen Engines for Marine Applications (CAHEMA), and Hydrogen Fuel Cells Solutions in Shipping in Relation to other Low Carbon Options – a Nordic perspective (HOPE), focusing on ammonia and hydrogen as maritime fuels.

The three projects are funded by the Nordic Maritime Transport and Energy Research Programme (NMTERP). A programme with the aim to map, develop, and use alternative energy sources in maritime operations and support the decarbonization of the Nordic maritime sector. The programme is funded by Nordic Energy Research, Swedish Transport Administration, Danish Energy Agency (EUDP), Research Council of Norway, The Icelandic Centre for Research and Business Finland.

About the Projects

AEGIR (Ammonia electric marine power for GHG emission reduction) proposes a unique fuel cell and membrane-based system for efficient conversion of green ammonia to electrical energy. In this concept, ammonia is (i) cracked to H2 and N2 using a solid oxide fuel cell; (ii) H2 is extracted and purified using a proton conducting electrochemical membrane; and (iii) converted to electricity using a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell. By combining these three technologies, AEGIR aims at developing an ammonia-fuelled ship propulsion system that offers high efficiency in combination with a low total system volume and weight, which is the key innovation of the project. Furthermore, the concept avoids emissions of NOX and allows for a drastic reduction of CO2 emissions; the product of the fuel cell electricity process is water.

CAHEMA (Concepts of Ammonia/Hydrogen Engines for Marine Applications) investigates innovative injection and combustion strategies using ammonia and hydrogen in combination, to achieve Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) and Direct-injection dual fuel stratification (DDFS) with these fuels. The project combines advanced computational models and experimental techniques to develop these engine concepts, and assess the potential environmental, economic and regulatory impacts.

HOPE (Hydrogen fuel cells solutions in shipping in relation to other low carbon options – a Nordic perspective) includes developing and evaluating a concept design for a vessel for short sea shipping that uses hydrogen as fuel and fuel cells for propulsion. Technical aspects are included, as well as barriers and drivers for the realization of such vessels in the Nordic region and the impact on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

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