Eco Factor: Car carrier gets fuel cell for auxiliary power.
Wärtsilä Corporation has installed a WFC20 fuel cell unit onboard Undine, a car carrier owned by Swedish Wallenius Lines and managed by Wallenius Marine. This unique power unit is the first of its kind in the world, and will during the test period provide auxiliary power to the vessel while producing close to zero emissions.
The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) unit has an output of 20KW and is fueled with methanol, which can be produced from natural gas or from renewable raw materials such as gasified biomass. Installation of the WFC20 fuel cell unit onboard the Undine is the result of a joint project by the international METHAPU consortium.
The principal aim of the METHAPU project has been to validate and demonstrate new technologies for global shipping that can reduce the environmental impact of vessels. In addition, a further major aim is to establish the necessary international regulations for the use of methanol onboard commercial vessels, and to allow the use of methanol as a marine fuel.
Via: Wärtsilä Corporation [Press Release]
