Tests of methanol fuel cell completed

Methanol fuel cell developer, Blue World Technologies, has completed the testing of a 200-kW methanol fuel cell designed for shipping applications. The high temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell was tested at a new facility adjacent to the company’s factory in Aalborg, Denmark.

The tests have exceeded expectations, the company revealed. With an electrical efficiency of up to 55% when produced in a commercial setup, the fuel cell system will typically provide a fuel saving of 20-30%, enabling  cost-efficient use of green fuels, Blue World said. The system will also enable up to 100% carbon capture for both utilisation in green fuel production and for storage.

The first pilot is a 1-MW system to generate power on board ship. It is likely to be installed on one of A.P. Møller-Maersk’s large dual fuel-enabled methanol container ships during the first half of 2027.

Blue World’s CEO and co-founder, Anders Korsgaard, said: “Having worked with fuel cell technology for more than 20 years, it is amazing for us to reach this stage of the technology development, where we with these large systems can provide a strong alternative to an industry that is heavily dependent on fossil-based technologies.

“Maersk is the global frontrunner when it comes to maritime decarbonisation, and we are very pleased with the collaboration on the first 1-MW pilot and we are very much looking forward to getting the system out sailing,” he added.

Alex Smout, investment director at Maersk Growth, a venture capital firm that has backed the technology, commented: “As an investor in Blue World Technologies, we are pleased to follow the progress of the system development and we share the team’s excitement for the successful testing of the 200-kW fuel cell system. The maritime industry needs multiple new technologies and pathways to reach its net-zero targets, and high-temperature PEM fuel cell technology is very promising in finding a balance between the high electrical efficiency, size, and load adjustment.”

When powered by green methanol, the system is net-zero. It is ready for carbon capture, enabling carbon dioxide to be recycled or stored. There are no NOx, SOx, or particle emissions and the system therefore causes no air pollution.

Blue World executives believe that the first systems will become available commercially in 2027. Initially, they will provide auxiliary power for ships but further development is likely to result in multi-megawatt  systems for propulsion in the future.