GE Power Conversion is marking the success of two innovation projects aimed at reducing maritime GHG emissions.

GE is helping to make progress towards net-zero operations for ship and port operators through cleaner power systems and digital energy management. At sea and on land, its electric microgrid systems can host integration of new energy sources and smarter digital and control technologies as they develop.

GE’s projects, part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, benefitted from partners’ vessel and port applications to accelerate solutions based on real-world scenarios.  

Power and energy specialists GE have been working on integration of multi-megawatt (MW) solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems into a large ship architecture with partners Ceres, Lloyd’s Register and MSC Cruise Management (UK) Ltd.

The team’s efforts resulted in a major milestone - a collaborative design for up to 10 MW on-board solid oxide fuel cell power installations. At this scale, systems can provide electric power for large ships and replace conventional diesel generating sets. The system has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by 47%, and significantly improve air quality and noise pollution when ships are in port. SOFC have the benefit of being able to operate on different types of new, cleaner fuels, a benefit as ship operators look to accommodate the transition to future fuels.

GE has also been working on reducing emissions at ports by helping to manage power and energy more efficiently. With project partners PD Ports Ltd, Connected Places Catapult and Teesside University, GE’s cloud-based, integrated digital concept aims to improve situational awareness on energy supply and demand. Benefitting from PD Ports’ data has enabled the team to create operational scenarios to carry out testing using an emulated digital twin platform. Digital energy management is part of GE Power Conversion’s range of Port Electrification solutions.

GE Power Conversion’s Managing Director in the UK, Andy Cooper said, “Industry is investing in clean ship and clean port technology readiness, but it’s really important we work with customers on their operational needs if the path to net zero is to be viable. Congratulations to the teams on making impressive progress towards potential commercialization.”