Towards zero-emission shipping with fuel cells
Fuel cell technology based on the use of renewable hydrogen has been just around the corner for a long time. Now, there are major powers promoting its introduction, since, with climate change, all sectors of industry, and transport in particular, are making a shift to zero-emission solutions.
‘I believe that now is the moment when the fuel cell technology will make its breakthrough. After road traffic and hydrogen cars, shipping will come next, and there the powers are one order of magnitude higher,’ says Sami Kanerva, Doctor of Science, Electrical Engineering, and Aalto alumnus, who acts as Global Product Manager of fuel cell solutions at ABB Marine.
ABB is a pioneer in fuel cell technologies for shipping which, together with electric propulsion, is a significant challenger for diesel engines.
‘We are developing the efficiency, life span and cost-effectiveness of fuel cells. We are also investing in how fuel cells and hydrogen can be integrated into ships in such a manner that they can be operated safely with the ship's other systems.’
Need for new experts
The ABB-Aalto co-operation in fuel cell technologies begins with exercises, theses and joint research projects. An ABB specialist is currently working on a doctoral dissertation related to fuel cells at Aalto University.
‘We are making major investments in the development of fuel cell technologies, and, in future, we will need even more new experts from Aalto. We offer students a future career which gives them an opportunity to change the world. At ABB, young specialists are given a chance to deal with major issues very early on in their working careers.’
Alongside the transition to zero-emission shipping, fuel cells will bring about changes in ship design and construction. Traditionally, a large diesel engine that drives the propeller is placed in the middle of the ship, which also dictates many other design solutions.
‘In the future, large engines and exhaust gas boilers may no longer be needed in the middle of the ship. Instead, there may be several smaller power sources distributed around the ship supporting the electrical propulsion system. This adds many degrees of freedom to the design.’
Text: Marjukka Puolakka
For further information, please contact:
Read more news
Student exchange in Europe? Unite! can take you there
Aalto is a member of Unite!, a European university alliance that gives students the opportunity to internationalise their degrees both online and in-person. Join the webinar to find out more.
Opinion: Finnish language learning should be integrated into degree programs
In this opinion piece, Rebekka Nylund, an expert at the University of Helsinki, and Elisa Räsänen, a university lecturer at Aalto University, reflect on what they have learned from the EU-co-funded Language-supported Knowledge Pathways project and offer suggestions on how and why learning Finnish could be integrated into the structures of higher education degree programs.
What job seeking looks like in the age of AI?
Aalto students map the future for Alma Career