Nuvera Fuel Cells joins APOLO ammonia cracker technology project

Nuvera Fuel Cells, a Massachusetts-based provider of fuel cell power solutions, has announced its participation in the European Union-funded APOLO project.

This initiative is dedicated to leveraging fuel cells and other power conversion technologies to decarbonize maritime transportation.

Nuvera will provide an EN-125 engine to operate on hydrogen derived from ammonia, which is emerging as a key zero-carbon fuel in the maritime sector that can be produced renewably.

Launched at the beginning of 2024, the twelve-member APOLO consortium aims to tackle the challenges of power conversion from ammonia and develop an efficient and flexible ammonia cracking technology. This innovative technology will be coupled with fuel cells to enable the decarbonization of maritime applications.

The APOLO project, funded by Horizon Europe with more than €7.5 million, started on January 1, 2024. The acronym APOLO stands for “Advanced POwer conversion technoLogies based on Onboard ammonia cracking through novel membrane reactors”.

As informed, the technologies developed for the project will be capable of serving the estimated 30,000 ships with 1 to 10 MW propulsion in operation.

“Nuvera’s involvement in the APOLO Project underscores our dedication to contributing to maritime decarbonization efforts and reflects industry confidence in the potential of fuel cells to provide zero-emissions propulsion or auxiliary power,” Giampaolo Sibilia, Director of Nuvera EU operations, commented.

“The APOLO consortium is backed by the European Union and combines the expertise of a dozen partners from around the world to develop innovative power conversion solutions. We are proud that Nuvera’s 125 kW fuel cell engines are considered among the most promising technologies.”