EMEA News
New Fuel Cell Tech Could be Ideal for LNG Powered Vessels
The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT) is leading a project to develop a new fuel cell technology that could be ideal for use on vessels using liquid natural gas (LNG) bunkers, Offshore Shipping reports.
The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is reported to be under development as part of the European Union (EU) funded INNO-SOFC project, a collaborative effort between the VTT, Convion Ltd, and Elcogen Ltd.
The project's intention is said to be to develop a "new-generation and long-life fuel cell system" that provides higher levels of energy efficiency than existing fuel cell technology.
VTT explains that the project "will develop a 50 kW fuel cell system that will have an efficiency of 60 percent for electricity production and a total efficiency of 85 percent."
"Thus far, the adoption of such systems into widespread use has been hindered by their short service life and high price," said VTT.
"The target is set to double the service life and halve the cost of fuel cell systems."
In noting the advantages of fuel cell technology, VTT said that, "compared with competing systems, for example generators powered by a combustion engine, fuel cell systems exhibit a high efficiency level, low emissions, low noise and low vibration levels."
In August, the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland was reported to be contributing to a new €6.6 million ($7.23 million) project working toward autonomous ships, known as the Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative, and led by Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (Rolls-Royce).
