GE Power Conversion and Partners Achieve Milestones in Cleaner Maritime Technologies for Ships and Ports

GE and its partners mark the success of two innovation projects helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector through cleaner fuels and energy efficiency measures. A new, collaborative design for up to 10MW solid oxide fuel cell systems to provide electric power for large ships has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 47%. A digital solution aimed at energy management to help reduce emissions at ports has been tested using an emulated digital twin platform.

The team’s efforts resulted in a major milestone - a collaborative design for up to 10MW on-board solid oxide fuel cell power installations.  At this scale, systems are able to provide electric power for large ships, and replace conventional diesel generating sets.  The system has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 47%, and significantly improve air quality and noise pollution when ships are in port. SOFC have the benefit of being able to operate on different types of new, cleaner fuels, a benefit as ship operators look to accommodate the transition to future fuels.

GE has also been working on reducing emissions at ports by helping to manage power and energy more efficiently.  With project partners PD Ports  Ltd, Connected Places Catapult and Teesside University, GE’s cloud-based, integrated digital concept aims to improve situational awareness on energy supply and demand.  Benefitting from PD Ports’ data has enabled the team to create operational scenarios to carry out testing using an emulated digital twin platform.   Digital energy management is part of GE Power Conversion’s range of Port Electrification solutions.

GE Power Conversion’s Managing Director in the UK, Andy Cooper, said:

“Industry is investing in ‘clean ship’ and ‘clean port’ technology readiness, but it’s really important we work with customers on their operational needs if the path to net zero is to be viable. Congratulations to the teams on making impressive progress towards potential commercialization”.

Find out more here - www.ge.com/power