MAN Energy Solutions, in conjunction with WTZ Roßlau gGmbh and TU-Darmstadt, recently declared its intention to develop retrofit solutions for medium-speed marine engines. The unveiling of this ambitious three-year initiative symbolizes the onset of a refreshing, ecologically positive chapter in the nautical technology spectrum.
The Groundbreaking ‘CliNeR-ECo’ Project
Coined ‘CliNeR-ECo,’ the project is primarily financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and commenced its inaugural activities in 2023. The initiative is designed to revolutionize the concept of medium-speed marine engines, enabling the retrofitting of entire fleets without astronomical economic or technical implications.
Harnessing Methanol for Climate Neutrality
A distinctive aspect of CliNeR-ECo is its focus on climate-neutral methanol produced from green hydrogen. The first retrofit venture based on an MAN 48/60 engine, is already in the pipeline, with the company planning to have the first functional test engine ready for the examination bed in 2024.
A Stepping Stone Towards Cleaner Oceans
Highlighting the practical benefit of these innovations, Dr. Alexander Knafl, Head of R&D Four-Stroke Engines at MAN Energy Solutions, emphasized that the proposed retrofits would enable compliance with increasingly stringent emission standards set by international bodies from 2025 onward. Thus, these technologies represent a tremendous stride toward the ultimate target of climate-neutral maritime shipping.
Influential Alliances and Research Collaborations
Dr. Christian Reiser, CEO of WTZ Roßlau gGmbH, and Christian Hasse, Head of the Department of Simulation of Reactive Thermo-Fluid Systems at TU Darmstadt, both lauded the new project. The endeavor offers exciting opportunities to tackle the complex challenge of CO2 reduction in shipping. TU Darmstadt’s departments of ‘Reactive Flows and Measurement Technology’ and ‘Simulation of Reactive Thermo-Fluid Systems’ will utilize a flow bench to examine the fundamentals of methanol mixtures in engines.
Transformative Maritime Strategies
After careful consideration and collaboration with its partners, MAN Energy Solutions aims to transfer the novel retrofit concepts developed during the project across large-volume four-stroke engines. There are also preparations in place to warrant commercial development and production. In essence, the project underscores the prominent role played by carbon-neutral and carbon-free fuels in the maritime industry while propelling the transition from research into commercial application.
