Japan Embarks on Carbon-Free Fuel Combustion Engine Research

Japan’s National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) will work with Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on developing a system for the combustion of carbon-free fuel as a way of contributing to decarbonization.

The announcement comes in the wake of the establishment of a global alliance at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York that will lead the push for shipping’s decarbonization.

According to J-ENG, the research will focus on the use of hydrogen and ammonia as fuel. Hydrogen has been recognized as a viable potential alternative fuel with projects related to introducing hydrogen as marine fuel already underway.

As explained, carbon-free fuel is a fuel that does not contain carbon atoms and thus does not emit carbon dioxide, and it is expected to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) as a countermeasure against global warming.

“In particular, hydrogen energy is expected as a promising energy carrier for achieving a decarbonized society, and various studies are being conducted about the liquefied hydrogen and ammonia etc.,” J-ENG said.