MARPOWER Project

The transition of the waterborne fleet to a zero-emission mode of transport critically depends on the development of power conversion systems that effectively can use sustainable alternative fuels. Going beyond the state-of-the-art in gas turbine technology, MARPOWER will deliver a highly efficient system endowed with an intercooled recuperative two-shaft gas turbine with a bottoming cycle. The modularity and versatility of the system is a unique function and provides its own competitive benefit, it is designed for flexible use of neutral and net-zero fuels, and it can reach up to 50-55% electrical efficiency and 73-76% overall electrical+thermal efficiency. In this sense, it can be operated to optimise the electrical power generation on-board a ship, but also to be operated in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) mode, both modes will be assessed through two case studies. MARPOWER will optimise the design of the turbomachinery components which are essential and specifically conceived for using zero emission fuels. Accordingly, it will develop a new fuel-flexible combustion concept, in which the combustor will be able to run on 100% hydrogen or other neutral or net-zero fuels without any additional changes to the combustion system. High efficiencies will be additionally fostered by the integration of an Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) technology for control of long high-speed shafts. The impacts generated from MARPOWER will allow the creation of a value chain for the construction and deployment of the energy conversion system in different types of ships worldwide, achieving significant economic, social, and environmental impacts, and therefore boosting European leadership in the maritime sector: The project can contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector avoiding the emission of more than 2.3 million of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101138341.