Tackling Climate Change: A Novel Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System
In a bid to revolutionize the shipping industry, Alma Clean Power, Odfjell, and DNV achieved a notable feat this week in the progress of deploying a solid oxide fuel cell system. The ambitious plan is to mount this technological marvel on a chemical tanker before 2024 ends. The shared objective amongst the trio, as disclosed at a Singapore event, is to substantially decrease fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from deep-sea vessels.
A Hopeful Direction Towards Zero Emission Maritime Industry
The maritime sector faces a Herculean challenge of transiting to zero emissions in the subsequent decades. In this regard, fuel cells hold great promise. They illustrate scalable applicability for prolonged distances and colossal energy requirements within shipping. Consequently, acquiring hands-on onboard experience with fuel cells is paramount, and maintaining safety standards is incumbent. These fuel cells, which are versatile in their fuel compatibility, can transform fuels like ammonia, LNG, methanol, and hydrogen to electricity. This process potentially outstrips the energy efficiency of internal combustion engines.
A Sustainable Shipping Solution Through Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
By employing a maritime solid oxide fuel cells solution, shipping corporations will not only curtail emissions in the interim but also ensure emission-free operations as alternative fuels surge on the horizon. The collaborative venture intends to demonstrate this breakthrough energy converter for deep-sea shipping through the installation of an 80KW natural gas-fueled solid oxide fuel cell container, strategically positioned on one of Odfjell’s chemical tankers.
Alma Clean Power’s Stance on Technological Innovation in the Shipping Industry
Early in 2023, DNV bestowed Alma Clean Power with the Approval in Principle for their ingenious design of a 1MW ammonia-fueled SOFC system. Alma Clean Power’s CEO, Bernt Skeie, communicated his excitement over their collaboration with Odfjell and DNV. His optimism stems from Odfjell’s consistent backing of their creative endeavors and DNV’s instrumental role in offering extensive expertise, ensuring a risk-based comprehensive approach in the stages of design, construction, installation, and functioning onboard the vessel.
The Future of Maritime Shipping
Harald Fotland, Odfjell’s CEO, emphasized their decade-long structured and proactive approach towards energy-efficient technologies and decarbonization. Touting this project as a step forward in energy efficiency, fuel flexibility, and null-emission capability innovations, Fotland acknowledged the continued alliance with DNV and Alma Clean Power. Reflecting on this, Tuva Flagstad-Andersen, Regional Manager of Maritime-North Europe at DNV, acknowledged that defining an appropriate risk level within existing DNV rules would be pivotal for managing the venture’s risks. Furthermore, she anticipates constructive dialogues and insights from practical applications, underscoring the potential for refining their norms and guidelines. This heralds a promising era for decarbonizing deep-sea shipping.
