Marine Log - August 2007 - (Page 23) ENVIRONMENT GREEN ideas The LNG-fueled platform supply vessel M/V Viking Energy ounting pressure to reduce glob- trol system technlogy. The project will al greenhouse gas emissions and include testing and verification of the the rising costs of bunker fuel new power pack on-shore followed by are driving research into more environ- final qualification tests onboard a mermentally friendly and efficient alterna- chant ship, to prove compliance with the tives to the diesel engine. In recent years, strict requirements of marine and offseveral research projects have been initi- shore power industry. The power package ated into the application of fuel cells to will run on LNG. be used either as main or auxiliary FellowSHIP project manager Tomas power in commercial or Tronstad of DNV, said a full-scale naval vessel applications. demonstrator of a 330kW auxilWhat’s a fuel cell? iary power plant is planned for Simply put, it is an 2008. Quick facts electromechanical device DNV will also test a new, that converts chemically smaller fuel cell technology for stored energy in a fuel, such ships in a project funded by the as hydrogen, natural gas, European Union. propane, or methanol, direct“We now know how this ly into electricity through a technology can be applied on reaction with oxygen in the ships and we have proved the air. advantages it will give to shipThe Viking FelOne ongoing fuel cell ping in future. Overall, the lowSHIP is a fuel project is FellowSHIP, which technology can be up to 50% cell-powered was initiated in 2003 and is more efficient than today’s small-scale (1:84) being led by classification diesel engines and at the same model of the prosociety DNV. Phase I of the time open up the possibility for jected full scale project included a feasibility ultra clean ships,” says Tronsupply vessel study, developments of constad. that will eventucepts and initial design stud“We have proven that this ally be built with ies. As part of Phase I, Felgroundbreaking technology fuel cell technollowSHIP has built a fuel provides numerous advanogy. The Viking cell-powered scale model tages. It results in significant FellowSHIP will (see Quick Facts box). improvements in power plant feature Vik + Now in Phase II, Fellowefficiency and considerable Sandvik’s Avant SHIP plans to finalize develreductions in operational costs Ship Design, with opment of the marinized fuel and emissions compared to the superstruccell power package, integratconventional engines,” adds ture aft. ed with new electro systems, Tronstad. power electronics and conOne stumbling block for fuel www.marinelog.com M cells has been the high initial capital costs. Fuel cell capital costs are about six times those of diesel generator sets. Interestingly, DNV studies show that, owing to the reduced fuel consumption and with the current favorable price of gas compared to oil products, the lower operational costs of fuel cells halve this difference. “Looking some years ahead,” says Tronstad, “we believe that stricter environmental requirements and likely subsequent favorable schemes for ‘green’ technology will more than compensate for fuel cells’ higher initial investment costs.” In addition, there are the environmental advantages since the only “exhaust” from hydrogen fuel cells is heat and water. If fueled by carbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, the exhaust will contain CO2, but up to 50 % less than that produced by diesel engines running on marine bunker fuel. Another advantage of fuel cell technology is that it is inherently silent and vibration-free, which increases passenger comfort and improves the working conditions for the crew. Further, the simpler designs with fewer moving parts require far less maintenance. Also, fuel cell technology is modular, enabling systems to be configured for the efficient use of onboard space. “This versatility, coupled with reduced costs and clean emissions, makes fuel cell technology the bow wave for the future of commercial shipping,” says Tronstad. Other organizations involved in the AUGUST 2007 MARINE LOG 23 http://www.marinelog.com
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