- Zero carbon emission goal, development of eco-friendly clean
fuel ammonia gas turbine technology
- Establishment of eco-friendly fuel conversion cooperation with
a major LNG carrier shipping company in Greece
SEOUL,
South Korea, Sept. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanwha Power Systems, a total
energy equipment and marine solutions company of Hanwha Group,
signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GasLog to convert
its LNG carrier propulsion system to an ammonia gas turbine at
Gastech 2024 held in Houston on
September 19.
Through this agreement, the two companies will discuss in more
detail the demonstration plan to replace the existing fossil fuel
powered vessels with eco-friendly ammonia gas turbines. In August,
Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean with the support of GasLog
completed preliminary engineering and economic feasibility reviews
for LNG carrier retrofitting. Following the signing of this MOU,
Hanwha Power Systems and GasLog, as strategic partners, will
continue their collaboration focusing on performance, economic and
compliance assessments from a comprehensive perspective to promote
the application of ammonia gas turbines in vessel retrofits.
Meanwhile, in recent years, the shipping and shipbuilding
industry has faced serious challenges in the face of carbon
emission reduction regulations led by international organizations
such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the
European Union (EU). In anticipation of this new reality, Hanwha
Power Systems, through its affiliate, Power Systems Mfg., LLC
(PSM), located in the United
States, has been actively developing an innovative Ammonia
(NH3) Combustion System to meet the anticipated requirements of the
IMO and EU "Fit for 55". These development activities include a
successful full-scale, high-pressure test campaign. The PSM Ammonia
Combustion System is planned to be implemented with a gas turbine
intended for this propulsion power application.
Hanwha Power Systems' move is attracting a lot of attention from
shipowners who currently lack suitable alternatives for carbon
reduction. Ongoing discussions are also taking place with some
major ship owners. In particular, ship owners point out that
ammonia gas turbines do not require pilot oil during normal operation, whereas engines typically
use pilot oil at all operating points. For a gas turbine using
ammonia fuel it is possible to operate completely carbon-free, or
operators can freely mix ammonia and natural gas so that they can
respond flexibly and economically to future regulations. The gas
turbine will generate a negligible amount of methane slip, even if
natural gas is used as fuel. Feasibility studies are ongoing for
other potential fuels that could be used.
After Hanwha Group acquired Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Power Systems
launched the Marine Solutions Business Division in May last year to
promote ship modification and upgrades, ship availability and
services, and eco-friendly fuel propulsion vessel business based on
eco-friendly fuels.
In particular, within about a year of the launch of the Marine
Solutions Business Division, the company has signed contracts with
the world's leading shipping companies for LNG Reliquefaction Unit
retrofit work for LNG carrier, cargo carrying capacity improvement
retrofit work for container ships, and installation of energy
saving devices. Through this, it has been recognized for its
technology and capabilities as a comprehensive solutions company,
and is growing rapidly in the ship eco-friendly retrofitting
market.
The agreement is expected to play an important role in
accelerating the transition to green fuels and could become a
game-changer for many shipowners to tackle the carbon emissions
challenges they face.
Justin Lee, CEO of Hanwha Power
Systems, said, "If the demonstration of ammonia gas turbines for
ship propulsion is successful, it will be a major turning point in
the global shipbuilding and shipping industry paving the way for
eco-friendly fuel propulsion in vessels."
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SOURCE Hanwha Power Systems