EU-funded initiative targets fuel-flexible energy conversions for gas turbines

Digital twin and prototypes

A digital twin model of the system will help validate the entire system’s performance, creating a virtual replica of the gas-turbine based energy conversion system and its components, enabling the simulation and analysis of the energy conversion processes and power supply on cargo and cruise ships, for both electric ship propulsion and cogeneration applications.

Prototypes of critical system components, including a combustion chamber, high-pressure shaft system, and the recuperator, will be developed and tested for system design optimisation.
A moving platform will also be designed and constructed to replicate the ship movements during testing of the AMB system.
The ultimate aim is to develop an conversion system specifically capable of utilising a range of alternative fuels including ‘green’ methane, green methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia, with minimal need for modifications to the combustion system.A main priority for the project is to ensure that the system remains both technically and economically competitive, so it can be integrated into existing ships.
“This is particularly important given the long lifespan of ships and the often complex and expensive process of incorporating new technologies,” said LUT University’s Professor of Mechanical Engineering Jussi Sopanen, who also serves as coordinator of the initiative.

Marpower will receive €8M (US$8.71M) in funds from the European Union and will run for 48 months. 

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