EU-Funded MARPOWER Project Aims to Decarbonize Maritime Transport

A European consortium of eleven partners has launched a new project aimed at decarbonizing maritime transport by replacing fossil fuels and reducing emissions and marine pollution. The project, named MARPOWER, is funded by the European Union with nearly €8 million and will run for two years. It kicked off in September 2024 at LUT University in Finland and focuses on developing an efficient zero-emissions gas turbine power system for maritime transport.

The project’s main goal is to develop a flexible energy conversion system that can utilize sustainable fuels like green methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia without significant modifications to the combustion system. The system aims to remain technically and economically competitive to facilitate its integration into existing ships. Key components of the project include a gas turbine combustor designed for alternative fuels, an active magnetic bearing system, and a two-shaft gas turbine with a bottoming cycle for maximizing power generation and efficiency onboard ships.

The project will also involve the creation of a digital twin model to simulate and analyze energy conversion processes and power supply on cargo and cruise ships for electric propulsion and cogeneration applications. Prototypes of critical system components will be developed and tested for system design optimization, including the combustion chamber, high-pressure shaft system, and recuperator. The consortium, led by LUT University, includes entities from Finland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark, and France, working together to advance sustainable solutions for maritime transport.

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