Marine classification society Lloyd’s Register has awarded e1 Marine’s methanol to hydrogen generator an Approval in Principle (AiP). For e1 Marine, the AiP represents an important step and demonstrates the technology’s compliance with several marine regulations.
The company hopes the AiP will enable the generator to demonstrate its capabilities across several maritime sectors, including ports and towboats and on offshore and deep-sea vessels. Lloyd’s Register has also confirmed the technology could achieve final approval for inland waterways.
By utilizing e1 Marine’s hydrogen generation technology fuel cell-grade hydrogen can be safely and cost-effectively generated from methanol and water. This can then be delivered wherever it is required. The fuel cell grade hydrogen output meets current and relevant ISO standards, and is also well suited for use with fuel cells to generate electricity or to supplement the standard fuel of a conventional engine.
“The maritime industry faces a once in a generation challenge in managing the way it utilizes energy for propulsion as part of the global energy transition to net zero carbon,” said Robert Schluter, managing director, e1 Marine. “Using e1 Marine’s technology, with methanol providing a safe and effective carrying medium for hydrogen, enables the adoption of clean zero emission fuel cell power solutions. With the M-series methanol to hydrogen generator, we are making hydrogen a viable fuel option for the maritime industry for vastly different applications.
“Securing Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register underscores our technology’s viability. It also provides valuable credentials to support our piloting program, so that we can demonstrate how our solution can contribute to reducing shipping’s carbon emissions.”
“This Approval in Principle is an important step towards reducing carbon emissions from power sources for ship operations, helping transfer the expertise gained in this technology on land to a potentially wide variety of marine applications,” commented Mark Darley, marine and offshore director, Lloyd’s Register. “We look forward to assisting e1 Marine with their technological advances to assist the global maritime energy transition.”
Development of the system was carried out through a collaboration with Element 1 Corp, Ardmore Shipping Corporation and Maritime Partners. E1 Marine hopes it will provide a viable pathway to green energy.