Blue World tests green methanol marine fuel cell system

Danish fuel cell system developer Blue World Technologies has tested a 200 kW high-temperature PEM fuel cell module which will run on green methanol.

As informed, the test was completed at the newly established test facilities in connection to the Blue Aalborg Factory, where the fuel cells for the system are produced.

The first pilot system is a 1 MW system for onboard power production. The system will be installed on one of A.P. Moller-Maersk’s large dual fuel-enabled methanol vessels and the installation on board is expected during H1 2026.

With an electrical efficiency of up to 55% when reaching a commercial stage, the fuel cell system will typically provide a fuel saving of 20-30%.

Additionally, the fuel cell system will allow for up to 100% carbon capture for both utilization in green fuel production and for storage, according to Blue World.

“This is a major breakthrough within maritime decarbonisation and with the test of our 200-kW system, we are proving that the HT PEM fuel cell technology has the potential of being one of the key technologies to decarbonise the hard-to-abate sectors. During the test period, we successfully validated our system setup with the methanol fuel processor, the series connection of the fuel cell stacks, as well as the balance of plant components surrounding the fuel cells,” Dennis Naldal Jensen, Chief Technology Officer at Blue World Technologies explained.

“Having worked with fuel cell technology for more than 20 years, it is amazing for us to reach this stage of the technology development, where we with these large systems can provide a strong alternative to an industry that is heavily dependent on fossil-based technologies,” said Anders Korsgaard, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Blue World Technologies.

According to the company, when powered by renewable methanol, the system has a net-zero operation. Furthermore, the fuel cell system is ready for carbon capture, allowing for CO2 to be recycled or stored.

Blue World will initially supply systems for auxiliary power and expects that its maritime system will reach a commercial level in 2027.

Eventually, the company will proceed to supply multi-megawatt propulsion systems for global shipping.

To remind, Maersk Growth, the venture arm of A.P. Moller–Maersk, invested in Blue World Technologies’ pre-C-round in April this year.