MARPOWER Project Advances Clean Shipping Technologies
The MARPOWER project, funded by the European Union, is making significant strides in the decarbonization of maritime transport, a sector responsible for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As international climate regulations tighten, the project is developing a next-generation gas turbine energy conversion system designed to operate on hydrogen and other sustainable fuels. This innovative approach aims to reduce emissions while ensuring the maritime industry remains competitive and reliable during its transition to cleaner energy sources.
Innovative Energy Solutions for Maritime Transport
The MARPOWER consortium, consisting of eleven partners, has made remarkable progress in its first year, transitioning from conceptual designs to detailed technical specifications. The focus has been on developing a robust energy conversion system that includes an advanced electrical generator and high-pressure (HP) shaft, which features active magnetic bearings (AMBs). These AMBs allow high-speed rotors to operate with minimal wear and energy loss, enhancing the system’s reliability under challenging marine conditions.
Additionally, the project has completed the conceptual and three-dimensional designs of compressors and turbines. A groundbreaking internal cooling system for high-pressure turbine blades has been engineered to withstand extreme temperatures of up to 1200 °C. Prototypes for combustion chambers are also in development, supported by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and upgraded facilities for hydrogen testing. These advancements lay a solid foundation for future assembly and experimental validation.
The consortium has also designed a novel recuperator system, which employs innovative heat surface geometry and automated manufacturing techniques. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and CFD simulations have confirmed its durability under extreme conditions, while work on a complementary Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) boiler is underway to maximize overall system efficiency.
Preparing for a Sustainable Maritime Future
A comprehensive digital twin platform has been established to model and validate the entire energy conversion system. This platform integrates component models, real-world data, and virtual operating environments, enabling predictive performance analysis and reducing risks and costs ahead of prototyping.
The MARPOWER project has conducted thorough evaluations of alternative fuels, including hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, assessing their techno-economic viability as well as health, safety, and environmental (HSE) implications. These studies ensure that the MARPOWER system can operate flexibly with various fuels while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.
From the outset, the consortium has prioritized regulatory readiness, developing technical requirements, safety guidelines, and regulatory mapping to align with maritime certification pathways. Preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) frameworks have also been established to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of the MARPOWER system.
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As the project moves forward, it will focus on integrating various component designs into a cohesive gas turbine system, validating rotor dynamics, and ensuring the durability of turbine cooling systems. The next phases will also involve prototype manufacturing, experimental validation, and further refinement of designs, paving the way for a climate-neutral maritime sector.
The MARPOWER project unites leading experts from diverse fields, including turbomachinery, alternative fuels, energy conversion systems, and regulatory assessments, to create innovative solutions for the maritime industry. With these advancements, the project aims to provide practical pathways for reducing emissions while maintaining efficiency and reliability in shipping operations.
