Odfjell is to test out a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) on one of its chemical tankers in a new breakthrough for the technology.
The installation will take place by the end of 2024, the Norwegian shipowner said.
The company is working with Bergen-based producer Alma Clean Power and class society DNV on the project.
The partners said they aim to “demonstrate the potential for significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for deepsea shipping”.
Odfjell said the technology is scalable for use over longer distances and larger energy needs.
The partners believe SOFCs can convert ammonia, LNG, methanol and hydrogen into electricity more efficiently than internal combustion engines.
The trial will involve an 80KW natural gas-fuelled SOFC container on a tanker.
Alma Clean Power was awarded DNV’s approval in principle (AiP) for its design of a 1MW ammonia-fuelled SOFC system in January this year.
Odfjell chief executive Harald Fotland said: “We’ve been working structured and actively with energy-efficiency technologies and decarbonisation for more than a decade, and this project represents another progressive step in energy efficiency, fuel flexibility and zero-emissions capability innovations.”
Managing risks
Alma Clean Power says its system is ready to work with transition fuels, and then zero-emission alternatives when they are ready.
The firm added that its electrochemical technology ensures silent operation with no vibrations.
Tuva Flagstad-Andersen, regional manager of maritime for northern Europe at DNV, said: “Identifying a suitable risk level and applying DNV’s existing rule framework will be key to managing the risks of the installation.
“At the same time, the project provides an ample opportunity to learn from the practical application to further improve our rules and guidelines and use this input to facilitate constructive dialogues with the applicable flag authorities.”
