Steven ZeniosThe funding has been awarded to the ShipFC project that is made up of 14 firms and institutions organized by NCE Maritime CleanTech.
The fuel cell will be installed on Eidesvik Offshore’s “Viking Energy” ship following modification. The ship has been used for 17 years by Norwegian energy major Equinor.
Jan Fredrik Meling, who is the CEO of Eidesvik Offshore commented:
Together with Equinor, we are now launching a full-scale research project to test a propulsion solution based on fuel cells running on pure and emission-free ammonia, adding, The goal is to install fuel cell modules with a total power of 2 MW (megawatts) onboard Viking Energy in 2024, this will make the vessel the world’s first emission-free supply vessel.
In a statement from Equinor, it has been explained that the ship will take supplies to instillations located on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Vice president of technology and development at Eidesvik Offshore Vermund Hjelland commented that part of the testing would be to see if Viking Energy uses ammonia in transit between the harbour and offshore installations for at least one year.
The firm, Hjelland went on to explain that the envisaged ammonia will also be used to power the ship when alongside the quay.
Meling commented
Our ambition is that 60 to 70 per cent of the energy consumption will come from ammonia during the test period, he said. In addition, we want to demonstrate that technology can supply up to 90 per cent of the total power demand.
The announcement comes at a time when significant moves forward in the shipping industry can be seen. The start of January saw the International Maritime Organisation introduce a new emissions regulation to aid in the reduction of pollution generated by ships.
Prior to this in August 2019 a maiden voyage was completed by an all-electric ferry capable carrying roughly 30 vehicles and 200 passengers.
Another example of changes in the shipping industry is with the Finnish firm Viking Line’s M/S Viking Grace a hybrid ship that has the capacity to use diesel, “traditional heavy fuel oil”, or liquefied natural gas. To offset this the ship can also use a 24 meter-tall cylindrical rotor sail developed by Norsepower Oy, another company in Finland. The sail uses what is called the “Magnus effect” for propulsion according to the company.
It is designed so that as the rotor spins passing air will flow with a lower pressure on one side compared to the other. The difference in pressure creates a propulsion force that moves the ship forward.
These new project initiatives and technology are set to improve the sector as a whole while being green energy conscious.
Image Source by ShipInsight
