US-based renewable energy company e1 Marine’s M-series methanol to hydrogen generator has received Approval in Principle (AiP) for marine applications from classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR).
The AiP demonstrates the compliance of e1 Marine’s technology with all applicable regulations, codes and standards. LR has confirmed that final approval for the technology is possible, including for inland waterways, when following Inland Waterway regulations.
Robert Schluter, MD e1 Marine, said: “The maritime industry faces a once in a generation challenge in managing the way it utilises energy for propulsion as part of the global energy transition to net zero carbon. 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 programme, so that we can demonstrate how our solution can contribute to reducing shipping’s carbon emissions.”
Mark Darley, Marine & Offshore Director, Lloyd’s Register, said: “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. We look forward to assisting e1 Marine with their technological advances to assist the global maritime energy transition.”
Through e1 Marine’s patented hydrogen generation technology, fuel cell-grade hydrogen can be safely and cost-effectively generated from methanol and water. It can be delivered on-site, onboard, and on-demand, and it provides an immediately viable pathway to green energy. The fuel cell grade hydrogen output meets all relevant ISO standards, and is suitable for use with fuel cells to generate electricity or to supplement the standard fuel of a conventional engine.
The successful development of this system builds on a collaboration between Element 1 Corp, a leading methanol-to-hydrogen technology company; Ardmore Shipping Corporation, an independent owner and operator of mid-size product and chemical tanker vessels; and Maritime Partners, a tailored leasing solution provider to the maritime industry.
