Alma Clean Power, Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies and Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime have announced a joint development agreement to engineer a fully integrated LOHC-SOFC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) power system for the Enova-supported project “HyNjord”, focusing on a 100-kilowatt pilot powertrain to be demonstrated on board the Østensjø Rederi operated offshore supply vessel Edda Ferd.
board the offshore supply vessel Edda Ferd operated by Østensjø Rederi, Image Credit: Østensjø Rederi
The agreements also open up for hydrogen-powered vessels on a megawatt-scale later. The innovation combines hydrogen release from the LOHC with direct conversion into power by an adjacent SOFC unit to the benefit of high efficiency. The key to this lies in using the SOFC device’s excess heat to meet the LOHC release unit’s heat demand. Hydrogenious’ LOHC solution provides an easy method for handling hydrogen as a fuel facilitating the decarbonisation of the maritime industry.
Dr Daniel Teichmann, CEO and founder of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, said: “With this partnership, we leverage synergies between Alma’s SOFC solution and our LOHC technology and take the next milestone in pioneering the use of hydrogen as a safe and efficient zero-emission fuel to ships.”
Øystein Skår, General Manager at Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime adds: “Our goal is to develop a zero-emission power solution for shipping, and with this agreement, we join forces to combine the LOHC technology with SOFC technology to develop an efficient way to produce power on board ships without emissions.”
Head of On-board Technology at Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, Dr Holger Buech explains: “We’re very excited about this partnership since it will allow us to develop and realise an integrated LOHC-SOFC system, which combines safe release of hydrogen from an easy-to-handle energy carrier with a fuel cell of high electrical efficiency. More than that, we will lift a special technological treasure by integrating the systems regarding their heat balances, thereby creating a thermal yin and yang of hydrogen technology.”
Instead of using gaseous or liquified hydrogen, hydrogen is chemically bound to the carrier material benzyl toluene, a thermal oil. Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime utilises this specific LOHC tech to assemble and market a shipshape LOHC-fuel cell powertrain, with compelling safety and handling advantages for shipping. The hydrogen is directly released on board from the LOHC in fuel cell grade.
Torleif Stokke, Head of Commercialization in Alma Clean Power, says: “The introduction of LOHC into the Alma world underpins our multi-fuel strategy, adding one more fuel on our list of opportunities for decarbonisation of the shipping industry. Combining LOHC with our SOFC systems is an excellent way to make the best out of green hydrogen. The LOHC technology offers a safe means of transporting and storing hydrogen on ships, pushing the boundaries for using hydrogen effectively also in deepsea shipping. Combined with our high-temperature SOFC technology, we can ensure high energy efficiency with zero-emission operations. We’re excited to partner with Hydrogenious on such an important project, enabling this ground-breaking technology to reach the market and support ship owners on their decarbonisation journey.”
Bernt Skeie, CEO at Alma Clean Power concludes: “We’re excited to partner with Hydrogenious on such an important project, enabling this ground-breaking technology to reach the market and support ship owners on their decarbonisation journey.”
