Alfa Laval testing fuel cell technology

A fuel cell system based on high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) technology from Blue World Technologies is being constructed for testing at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark.

The test installation, which will use methanol as fuel, will explore the technology’s potential as a source of marine auxiliary power. Funded by Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program), the project is a joint effort between fuel cell maker Blue World Technologies, Alfa Laval and vessel owners DFDS, Maersk Drilling and Hafnia.

Creating a scalable fuel cell solution

The aim of the project is to establish a highly efficient and cost-effective HTPEM fuel cell solution, giving marine vessels a realistic alternative to combustion-based auxiliary power within the near future. The fuel cell test setup will have a power of 200 kW, but the fully developed and modular design should be possible to scale up incrementally to a level of 5 MW.

During a year of planned testing at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre, the fuel cell system’s durability and lifetime will be in focus. HTPEM fuel cells have a higher tolerance for thermal cycling than other fuel cell types, which makes them well suited to the variable power production needed from a genset. Nonetheless, the technology will need a lifespan comparable to that of combustion technologies in order to be feasible on board, which will mean addressing various sources of performance degradation.

The fuel cell system, which will provide clean operation with no particulate emissions, will use carbon-neutral renewable methanol as fuel. Methanol is one of the most promising fossil-free fuels available for future shipping and is already being used in testing at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre. The fuel cell system concept, however, could be possible to adapt for fuels such as LNG and ammonia.

Leading partners in the fuel cell system project

The EUDP-funded project brings together a number of committed and well-established players. Alfa Laval, a marine supplier with more than a century of expertise, will manage and coordinate the project in addition to supplying the innovation resources of the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre.

Blue World Technologies, an advanced developer and manufacturer of methanol fuel cell technology, will supply the fuel cells themselves. Headquartered in Aalborg, Denmark, Blue World Technologies is ramping up for the mass production needed to bring fuel cells into cost parity with combustion-based solutions.

“Building on the scalability of automotive applications, we are convinced that methanol fuel cell systems can drastically reduce maritime climate and environmental impact,” said Mads Friis Jensen, Chief Commercial Officer and co-founder, Blue World Technologies. “By further developing our technology in partnership with marine colleagues, and by ramping up our production capacity at the same time, we can deliver a fuel cell solution that is green, operationally sound and also commercially viable.”

Three vessel owners will contribute insights regarding the operational and commercial implementation of the HTPEM fuel cell system. DFDS, owner of one of Europe’s largest shipping networks, is actively moving away from fossil fuels and brings experience from other fuel cell projects. Maersk Drilling, a Danish owner and operator of drilling rigs, has a strong focus on energy efficiency and brings experience of using auxiliary power for special applications. Hafnia, owner of one of the world’s largest product tanker fleets, has a strategy of transitioning to viable future marine fuels and believes strongly in methanol. Hafnia brings deep knowledge of methanol bunkering and operations.

Mads Friis Jensen, CCO and Co-founder, Blue World Technologies together with Lars Bo Andersen, Manager of Alfa Laval Test and Training Centre - HTPEM fuel cell at Alfa Laval Test & Training Center.