Wärtsilä, GEV working on marine hydrogen propulsion solution

Wärtsilä is working on a propulsion solution for compressed hydrogen (C-H2) ships with Global Energy Ventures, an Australian company that develops and then builds, owns and operates compressed shipping solutions for transporting energy to regional markets.

The two companies will cooperate on the inclusion of Wärtsilä propulsion systems in GEV’s compressed hydrogen (C-H2) ships.

The cooperation aims at advancing GEV’s Approval in Principle (AiP) application for its new 430-ton C-H2 vessel. It is also intended to demonstrate the availability of a highly efficient, low-emissions propulsion system for the vessel. Under the agreement, the companies will explore the availability and outlook for highly efficient and low emission propulsion systems for C-H2 ships, including the integration of fuel cell applications to be provided by Ballard Power Systems.

Wärtsilä and Global Energy Ventures to cooperate on propulsion solutions for hydrogen vessel.

“We have shown that C-H2 shipping is ideally suited for exporting green hydrogen with a lower delivered cost and having a technology leader such as Wärtsilä with us, we can deliver a shipping solution that is completely sustainable,” said Martin Carolan, CEO, GEV.

Petteri Saares, sales director, Wärtsilä Marine Power, said the project is an important stepping stone along the journey towards a decarbonized maritime industry, something that Wärtsilä is fully committed to supporting.

“We are actively developing propulsion alternatives that can utilize future carbon-neutral fuels, raise efficiency levels, and which significantly improve environmental performance. This agreement with GEV is fully in line with our own ambitions,” Saares said.

The companies said compression delivers a proven, simple, and efficient method for transporting green hydrogen. It is a preferred solution for marine hydrogen transport but is often overlooked due to its lower volumetric energy density. The parties to the agreement believe that the C-H2 project will eliminate the technical barriers and deliver a solution that is superior to other transport alternatives.