Skip to main content
European Commission logo
TRIMIS

Multifuel SOFC system with  Maritime Energy vectors

Project

FuelSOME - Multifuel SOFC system with  Maritime Energy vectors


Funding origin:
European
European Union
STRIA Roadmaps:
Low-emission alternative energy for transport (ALT)
Low-emission alternative energy for transport
Transport mode:
Waterborne
Waterborne
Transport sectors:
Passenger transport
Passenger transport
Freight transport
Freight transport
Project website:
Duration:
Start date: 01/09/2022,
End date: 31/08/2026

Status: Ongoing
Funding details:
Total cost:
€2 687 486
EU Contribution:
€2 499 986

Overview

Background & policy context:

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), one of the most promising fuel cell types, are electrochemical devices that convert gas fuels directly into electricity and heat via oxidation. The EU-funded FuelSOME project will develop an innovative multi-fuel-capable energy generation system based on SOFC technology to slash CO2 emissions of the long-distance shipping industry. It will operate on a variety of fuels, including ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and their mixtures. The project will investigate sustainable supplies of these fuels as well as the environmental, social and economic benefits of such a system for the maritime industry, Europe and its citizens with the potential to be used in other high-emitting sectors.

Objectives:

Shipping is responsible for the emission of about 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. The drastic reduction of GHG emissions from ships has been set as one of the urgent targets to achieve the EU Green deal objectives. As a result, the maritime industry, which is a hard-to-decarbonize sector, is actively seeking for alternate solutions/technology which can make it more climate friendly but at the same time does not compromise on the current performance levels. Leveraging novel concepts as well as assets from former projects and initiatives, the project FuelSOME focuses on establishing the technological feasibility of a flexible, scalable, and multi-fuel capable energy generation system based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) technology specially catered for long-distance maritime shipping. This system will be able to operate on Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen and their mixtures for which short and long-term sustainable supply pathways will be explored. Finally, on a broader level, an in-depth and detailed investigation on the environmental, social, and economic benefits of developing such a system for the European industry, the maritime sector and the citizens will be carried out. The future roadmap of the project is that the outcomes generated will not only benefit the maritime industry but can also serve as a blueprint/launchpad for implementing the same technology in other hard to abate emission sectors and/or, thereby enabling multi-fuel energy generators to become the norm in the future. The consortium comprises 8 partners: 7 partners from 6 European Member States and 1 partner from a non-associated third country (Switzerland). The FuelSOME consortium unites the necessary multidisciplinary knowledge, expertise, skills, and resources to constitute a representative value chain of actors, which together can achieve the project’s ambitious objectives.

Contribute! Submit your project

Do you wish to submit a project or a programme? Head over to the Contribute page, login and follow the process!

Submit