HELENUS | High Efficiency Low Emission Nautical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Summary
The HELENUS project will build, integrate and demonstrate a 500kW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) module operating in cogeneration (combined heat and power) mode, in an MSC World class series ocean cruise vessel. The SOFC will be fully integrated- spatially, electrically, and thermally- into the ship design. SOFCs are the most efficient chemical energy converters available today, and are also highly fuel-flexible- thereby remaining highly relevant for the future of waterborne transport. The HELENUS demonstrator will achieve a TRL of 7 at the end of the project, with extended field testing already planned to reach TRL8 by 2028-2029. Success of this project will enable upscaling of mature SOFC technology in ocean cruise liners to as high as 20MW, by as early as 2029. This can unlock over 23% total fuel savings (assuming a hybrid 20MW SOFC+60MW ICE energy system) over a state-of-the-art energy system with only ICEs. The HELENUS consortium involves diverse and accomplished stakeholders representing the entire value chain from technology development to field implementation- creating a rapid pathway towards exploitation and commercialisation.
HELENUS will also undertake extensive simulation, experimental (using an 80kW scaled-down SOFC module), and analytical efforts to demonstrate the applicability of the developed SOFC solution (i) upon significant scale-up (10 MW and beyond), (ii) over duty cycles of alternate applications such as dredging- and offshore- vessels, and (iii) using carbon-neutral fuels with potential for future maritime uptake. Experimental results will be complemented by application case- and lifecycle performance- analyses to assess the broader impact of the technology on waterborne transport. Therefore, HELENUS creates a technological and regulatory roadmap towards a maritime future with scaled-up clean energy systems operating on renewable fuels – thereby fostering innovation and significantly boosting the competitiveness of the EU maritime industry
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101056784
Start date: 01-07-2022
End date: 30-06-2027
Total budget - Public funding: 15 670 245,00 Euro - 14 866 244,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The HELENUS project will build, integrate and demonstrate a 500kW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) module operating in cogeneration (combined heat and power) mode, in an MSC World class series ocean cruise vessel. The SOFC will be fully integrated- spatially, electrically, and thermally- into the ship design. SOFCs are the most efficient chemical energy converters available today, and are also highly fuel-flexible- thereby remaining highly relevant for the future of waterborne transport. The HELENUS demonstrator will achieve a TRL of 7 at the end of the project, with extended field testing already planned to reach TRL8 by 2028-2029. Success of this project will enable upscaling of mature SOFC technology in ocean cruise liners to as high as 20MW, by as early as 2029. This can unlock over 23% total fuel savings (assuming a hybrid 20MW SOFC+60MW ICE energy system) over a state-of-the-art energy system with only ICEs. The HELENUS consortium involves diverse and accomplished stakeholders representing the entire value chain from technology development to field implementation- creating a rapid pathway towards exploitation and commercialisation.
HELENUS will also undertake extensive simulation, experimental (using an 80kW scaled-down SOFC module), and analytical efforts to demonstrate the applicability of the developed SOFC solution (i) upon significant scale-up (10 MW and beyond), (ii) over duty cycles of alternate applications such as dredging- and offshore- vessels, and (iii) using carbon-neutral fuels with potential for future maritime uptake. Experimental results will be complemented by application case- and lifecycle performance- analyses to assess the broader impact of the technology on waterborne transport. Therefore, HELENUS creates a technological and regulatory roadmap towards a maritime future with scaled-up clean energy systems operating on renewable fuels – thereby fostering innovation and significantly boosting the competitiveness of the EU maritime industry

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-08

Update Date

09-02-2023
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European Partnerships
Zero Emission Waterborne Transport Partnership (ZEWT)
ZEWT Partnership Call 2021
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-08 Enabling the full integration of very high power fuel cells in ship design using co-generation and combined cycle solutions for increased efficiency with multiple fuels (ZEWT Partnership)
EU-Programme-Call
Horizon Europe
HORIZON.2 Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
HORIZON.2.5 Climate, Energy and Mobility
HORIZON.2.5.6 Industrial Competitiveness in Transport
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-08 Enabling the full integration of very high power fuel cells in ship design using co-generation and combined cycle solutions for increased efficiency with multiple fuels (ZEWT Partnership)
HORIZON.2.5.7 Clean, Safe and Accessible Transport and Mobility
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-08 Enabling the full integration of very high power fuel cells in ship design using co-generation and combined cycle solutions for increased efficiency with multiple fuels (ZEWT Partnership)