Expleo develops e-methanol fuel cells to power ships

UK-based engineering and technology firm Expleo has developed e-methanol fuel cells to power ships, which it claims can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 92%.

PHOTO: Expleo chief engineer Paul Burns (left), marine vice president Jonathan Taylor (middle), marine head of commercial Andy King (right). Gareth Jones via Expleo

As these are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), they release carbon dioxide during operation, Expleo says. To deal with these emissions Expleo has combined the SOFCs with carbon a capture and storage system. This enables a vessel to use its captured carbon dioxide along with green hydrogen and synthesise these components to e-methanol.

Green hydrogen used in the system can be produced at offshore wind farms or from surplus electrical energy to keep it sustainable, Expleo adds.

“This circular solution allows the marine industry to make its own fuel and removes the need for costly processing and transportation,” Expleo’s vice president of marine Jonathan Taylor said.

The company has tested the technology on the Bibby Wavemaster 1, a multi-tasking offshore supply vessel, and is now working with partners to explore whether they can commercialise the system at scale.