The Danish/German ship engine developer, MAN Energy Solutions, has taken a significant step forward in the development of an ammonia-powered two-stroke engine for shipping companies. However, the company is also involved in pioneering ammonia technology for four-stroke engines. Photo: Nicolai Østergaard

An innovative project concerning Danish production of a special version of ammonia fuel for four-stroke engines has received support from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP).

This involves the special NH3 Spark project, which aims to develop a type of ammonia that can be fed into an ammonia-powered four-stroke engine without the need for pilot fuel.

The project now receives an additional 31 million DKK in demonstration support.

This is stated in a press release.

At the center of the innovation project stands the Danish/German engine developer, MAN Energy Solutions, which provides a four-stroke engine for conversion for the project.

Key partners in the project include DTU Construct and Skovgaard Energy. DTU is a world leader in experimental research on ammonia engines, and it is in their engine laboratory that the first experiments are carried out.

The project's goal is to retrofit, test, and operate a 4-stroke marine engine that will run on green ammonia (NH3) – without the need for any auxiliary fuel – thereby helping to displace fossil fuels in the maritime sector. In addition to newbuild applications, the concept is also expected to be suitable for retrofit solutions. The suitability of the concept for the use of other green high-octane fuels is also being explored in the project, hence the name FutureFlex.

The previously EUDP-supported dynamic ammonia plant REDDAP will now supply the fuel in a new EUDP project that aims to develop a 100% ammonia-driven engine for the shipping industry. Rights contact sender

Full-scale test

A full-scale engine will be tested under real power plant conditions at the company Skovgaard Energy, where the green ammonia will be produced at the company's dynamic ammonia plant that was established through the previous EUDP project, REDDAP.

- Pure ammonia as fuel in a 4-stroke engine of industrially relevant size, without the need for pilot injection, has never before been demonstrated in a commercially available engine, says project manager Jarl Klüssmann, MAN Energy Solutions, Holeby.

He continues:

- Solutions like this could become crucial for the maritime sector's transition to a CO2-neutral future – and at the same time help maintain Denmark's leading position in the maritime field.

Since 2007, EUDP has supported companies and universities in their efforts to develop and demonstrate new, green energy technologies. Over the years, the program has initiated more than 1,200 innovative projects and distributed more than 6.2 billion Danish kroner. Now, EUDP is launching a series of new projects – with total support amounting to 403 million kroner.