New EU-funded project launched to replace fossil fuels in maritime transport

A group of eleven European partners has launched a new project that seeks to replace the use of fossil fuels and reduce emissions and marine pollution, leading to the decarbonization of maritime transport.

The project named MARPOWER (Efficient zero-emissions gas turbine POWER system for MARitime transport) is funded by the European Union (EU) with nearly €8 million and will run for two years.

The project kicked off in September 2024 at LUT University in Finland.

It focuses on developing a novel flexible energy conversion system capable of using a wide range of sustainable fuels such as green methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia, with no or minor need for modification of the combustion system.

A key priority will be ensuring that the system remains both technically and economically competitive, facilitating its integration into existing ships.

As explained, the project will involve the development of a gas turbine combustor specifically designed for alternative fuels, and an active magnetic bearing (AMB) system supported two-shaft gas turbine with a bottoming cycle for maximizing the performance and efficiency of power generation and use on board the ship.

The integration and validation of the system’s performance will be executed using a digital twin model that will create a virtual replica of the system and its components. This will enable simulation and analysis of the energy conversion processes and power supply on cargo and cruise ships, for both electric shop propulsion and cogeneration applications.

Additionally, prototypes of critical system components, including the combustion chamber, high-pressure shaft system, and recuperator, will be developed and tested for system design optimization. A moving platform will also be designed and constructed to replicate the ship movements during testing of the AMB system.

The project will be coordinated by LUT University and executed by a multidisciplinary consortium, comprising eleven entities from six different countries: Aurelia Turbines and Alfa Laval Aalborg from Finland; Politecnico di Milano; Rina Consulting and Rina Services from Italy; University of Vigo and Zabala Innovation from Spain, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) from Germany; the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) from Denmark; and Chantiers de L’Atlantique from France.