MARPOWER Project: Significant Steps Towards Clean Energy Systems for Maritime Transport

EU-funded MARPOWER project is developing a next-generation gas turbine-based energy conversion system aimed at reducing ship emissions

The maritime transport sector, responsible for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, plays a critical role in the fight against climate change. The MARPOWER (Efficient zero-emissions gas turbine POWER system for MARitime transport) project has set out to achieve this challenging goal.

Innovative Multi-Fuel Capable System

The project is developing a gas turbine-based energy conversion system capable of operating on net-zero fuel alternatives such as hydrogen, ammonia, green methane, and green methanol. The system is designed for both electricity generation and cogeneration aboard ships. This approach, which combines advanced turbomachinery and energy recovery technologies, aims to significantly reduce emissions while maintaining the sector’s competitiveness.

Progress Achieved in the First Year

The MARPOWER consortium, consisting of eleven partners, has made significant strides in its first year, moving from conceptual design to detailed technical definition:

Turbomachinery and Power System: Detailed design of the electrical generator has been completed. The first high-pressure shaft has been designed to incorporate active magnetic bearings (AMBs) that operate with minimal wear and energy loss. 3D designs of compressors and turbines have been prepared. An innovative internal cooling system capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1200°C has been developed for turbine blades.

Heat Recovery: A recuperator system featuring a new heat surface geometry has been designed. Its durability under extreme temperature gradients and ship motions has been validated through simulations.

Digital Twin: A comprehensive digital twin platform modeling the entire system has been established. This platform reduces risks and costs by enabling performance analysis before prototype manufacturing.

Sustainable Fuels and Safety: Comparative evaluations of alternative fuels including hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia have been conducted. Flammability, toxicity, handling risks, and regulatory aspects have been examined.

Regulatory Compliance: Technical requirements, safety guidelines, and life cycle assessment frameworks have been established for alignment with maritime certification processes.

Future Phases

Project Coordinator Professor Jussi Sopanen from LUT University stated, “The progress achieved in the first year demonstrates that advanced turbomachinery, new energy recovery technologies, and sustainable fuels can be combined to develop next-generation clean power systems for maritime transport.”

In the coming period, the project will focus on integrating different component designs into a coherent gas turbine system. Priority objectives include testing rotor dynamics under real ship motion conditions, ensuring the durability of turbine cooling systems at extreme temperatures, and completing safe combustion experiments with alternative fuels.

A Strong Consortium

MARPOWER brings together eleven partners: LUT University, Aurelia Technologies, Alfa Laval, Politecnico di Milano, Rina Consulting, Rina Services, University of Vigo, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and Zabala Innovation.

The project aims to provide practical solutions to the maritime sector in the face of tightening emission regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU. The successful results of the first year are considered an important step in the sector’s transition to carbon-neutral and zero-emission technologies.