Alfa Laval says the first of a range of new decarbonisation solutions is soon to be introduced: the Alfa Laval E-PowerPack, which can convert waste heat directly into electrical power, to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The new system, to be launched in April 2022, is said to create a simple, cost-saving tool for complying with new sustainability requirements.
Lars Skytte Jørgensen, VP Technology Development, Energy Systems, Alfa Laval Marine Division, said: “Alfa Laval is pursuing a wide range of technologies to support decarbonisation, both independently and with partners. Fuel cells and many other innovations are in the pipeline, but the first critical step is to leverage the existing energy on board. The E PowerPack does that in a revolutionary way, while building on Alfa Laval’s many decades of waste heat recovery experience.”
The E-PowerPack is a self-contained solution that can generate electricity from many different heat sources on board. These include exhaust gas waste heat, which accounts for 50% of the energy from combusted fuel, but also liquid sources at lower temperatures, such as engine jacket water. All can make a sizeable difference.
Danny Ingemann, Head of Global Sales, said: “The versatility and fuel savings will make the E-PowerPack an easy choice for shipowners, who can use it to improve a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Index and Carbon Intensity Indicator. On a wider level, it will be a decisive part of reaching the industry’s common goal of net zero carbon.”
Regardless which fuels they operate with today, fleets can use the E-PowerPack to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and costs. On vessels where moving to low-sulphur fuel has created a surplus of steam, the E-PowerPack will transform the excess into a free source of power. Going forward, the E-PowerPack will be vital as energy recovery becomes key in transitioning to green methanol and ammonia.
Ingemann continued: “Savings that offset fuel costs are only one part of the picture, since methanol and ammonia are both more expensive and less energy-rich. For the amount of fuel they carry to be feasible, vessels will need to utilise all of the energy that methanol and ammonia contain. The E-PowerPack will be a vital part of achieving the energy balance.”
