Fuel cell vessel moves towards sea trials

Wärtsilä’s specially designed equipment is being used to integrate and create synergies between leading marine technology and the latest fuel cell technology

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The equipment has been installed onboard the platform supply vessel

Viking Lady

for extensive sea tests

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The innovative solution is seen as being an important contributor in the development of environmentally sustainable

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The power pack will be used as an auxililiary power source on the Viking Lady, which is owned by Eidesvik Offshore, Norway

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The ship has been designed by Wärtsilä Ship Design, and its main engines and power drives have also been supplied by Wärtsilä

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Wärtsilä’s electrical & automation business unit in Norway has custom developed the power electronics needed to connect the fuel cell to the ship’s electrical network

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Wärtsilä thus has the important role of being the systems integrator for the FellowSHIP project

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Wärtsilä’s electro & automation business unit specializes in designing and developing technologies related to electrical distribution, controls and power converter applications

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In May, the 320 kW fuel cell, produced by MTU Onsite Energy GmbH, a member of the German Tognum Group, arrived at Stord in Norway, where it has been integrated together with Wärtsilä’s technology and tested

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During this land testing all operational modes, shut down conditions, and dynamical behaviour have been tested and verified in accordance with the specifications

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The fuel cell technology is designed to increase efficiency and leads to a considerable reduction in emissions

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Fuel cell technology of this power size has never before been installed in merchant vessels and the highly innovative project is unique on a world scale

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Wärtsilä has been involved in fuel cell technology since the mid-1990s and specializes in systems integration

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‘Developing better and more environmentally friendly technologies for the marine industry and offshore market is a very important focus area for Wärtsilä, which invests heavily in research and development aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency

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Being the systems integrator on what might potentially be the world’s most environmentally friendly ship, is very exciting for us, said project manager and director of R&D at Wärtsilä Ship Power Technology, Ingve Sørfonn

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‘The vision for the FellowSHIP project is to develop a technology that makes a positive contribution to the environment, and which can be used in marine constructions

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We have great expectations for the tests that will now be carried out at sea

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The partners in the FellowSHIP project include Wärtsilä, Eidesvik, Det Norske Veritas and MTU Onsite Energy GmbH

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The project is supported by the Norwegian Research Council, Innovation Norway, and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology

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