Page 15 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2019 publication
P. 15
Autumn 2019 European Energy Innovation 15
COMMUNICATION
evolutionary engine technologies
for a sustainable tomorrow
The LEC is Austria's leading research emissions and sets new standards for
institute for large engine technology the emission-free shipping.
and a global frontrunner in researching
and developing visionary concepts for The HyMethShip concept innovatively Andreas Wimmer,
sustainable energy and transportation combines a membrane reactor, CEO & CSO of LEC. ©LEC GmbH
systems. a CO₂ capture system, a storage
system for CO2 and methanol as well is ideally produced on-shore from
e-fuels as key enabler for emission as a hydrogen-fueled combustion the captured CO2, thus closing the
reduction engine into one system. Methanol is CO2 loop of the ship propulsion
The aim is to develop technologies reformed to hydrogen, which is then system. The basic engine type is the
capable of making drastic carbon burned in a conventional reciprocating same as the one currently used on
dioxide reductions and to build engine that has been upgraded to the majority of ships. The system
large engines that are virtually operate with multiple fuel types and will be developed, validated, and
emission-free. In this context, the specially optimized for hydrogen use. demonstrated on-shore at the LEC
LEC investigates and optimizes The drastic CO2 reduction is the result in Graz, Austria, with an engine in the
e-fuels, i.e. regenerative fuels such as of using renewable methanol as the range of 1 to 2 MW.
hydrogen and hydrogen carrier gases energy carrier and implementing
e.g. synthetic natural gas, methanol pre-combustion CO2 capture and The cost effectiveness of the system
or ammonia. “We are focusing on storage on the ship. The HyMethShip will also be assessed for different
the development of combustion system will achieve a reduction in ship types, applications and use
processes for large engines that are CO2 of more than 97% and practically cases. For medium and long-distance
emission-free, highly efficient and eliminate SOx and PM emissions. NOx waterborne transportation, the
flexible in terms of the fuel type emissions will be reduced by more HyMethShip concept is considered to
used," stated Andreas Wimmer, CEO than 80% significantly below the IMO be the best approach available that
of the LEC. Tier III limit. The energy efficiency is achieves this level of CO2 reduction
expected to be more than 40% better and is economically feasible. l
Storage presents major challenge than the best available technology
for the energy transition solution (methanol as fuel coupled
Volatility and the storage of electric with conventional post-combustion
power over a longer period of time carbon capturing). The renewable
are a major challenge when switching methanol fuel bunkered on the ship
to renewable energies. Power to Gas
(PtG) and Power to Liquid (PtL) are The HyMethShip concept. ©LEC GmbH
technologies which convert electricity
into gaseous (e.g. hydrogen) and liquid
(e.g. methanol) fuels respectively.
These fuels are obtained by
electrolysis with excess wind or solar
power. A hot topic for LEC is currently
the combustion of 100% regenerative
hydrogen for power generation and
propulsion.
HyMethShip sets new standards on For further information on the
the way to zero-emission shipping LEC and on the project visit
The EU-project HyMethShip is www.LEC.at or
a showcase example of drastic www.hymethship.com
emission reduction by using
renewable fuels for de facto zero
emission ship propulsion. HyMethShip
has the potential to eliminate air
pollutants and greenhouse gas
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
