The European Union has entrusted Aurelia Turbines and other members of the MARPOWER consortium with a significant task: to develop an efficient zero-emissions gas turbine power system for maritime transport. This system, which goes beyond the state-of-the-art in gas turbine technology, will be a highly efficient system endowed with an intercooled recuperative two-shaft gas turbine with a bottoming cycle.
The modularity and versatility of the system are unique functions that provide competitive benefits. It is designed for flexible use of neutral (green methane, green methanol) and zero-emissions (hydrogen, ammonia) 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 can run on 100% hydrogen or other neutral or zero-emission fuels without any additional changes to the combustion system. The integration of Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) technology for controlling long high-speed shafts will additionally foster high efficiencies.
The impacts generated from MARPOWER are significant, as they will allow the creation of a value chain for the construction and deployment of the energy conversion system in different types of ships worldwide. This will lead to substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits, 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 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
For Aurelia Turbines, Marpower is the 3rd successful award by the EU.