Dissemination & Communication
Transforming Maritime Propulsion
FuelSOME Project is dedicated to revolutionizing maritime propulsion by prioritizing sustainable fuels like Ammonia, Methanol, and Hydrogen. Project partners are developing efficient, multi-fuel energy systems based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050.
For more in-depth information on the project’s objectives and a brief introduction to all the partners comprising the project consortium, watch the video below.
Webinar 1: Efficiency and Architecture Trade-Offs in Multi-Fuel SOFC Maritime Systems
This webinar focuses on the different trade off in system architecture design for a Multi-fuel SOFC system in Maritime vectors. During the webinar the specific properties and requirements of the three selected fuels are discussed along with the resulting implications for key component and system parameter as well. The system efficiencies are discussed for the different fuels with different options and for a multi-fuel solution, additionally the webinar give an overview about the achievable system architecture for such an application.
Webinar 2: Multifuel Pathways for the Shipping Industry
During the webinar, the structure and methodology of the MFPE, a modular open-source Python library, were presented. The tool enables the modelling of alternative maritime fuel pathways and allows stakeholders to evaluate system performance across the entire fuel supply chain.The webinar also presented techno-economic and well-to-wake (W2W) performance results for hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol fuel pathways, demonstrated through a case study based on the Port of Rotterdam. The results illustrate how the MFPE framework can support comparisons between different fuel options and help identify efficient and scalable solutions for low-emission maritime energy systems.By enabling component-level modelling and integrated pathway analysis, the MFPE provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers working toward the decarbonisation of maritime transport.
Workshop: Ammonia as a Fuel – Material Integrity Challenges in Next-Generation Energy Systems
This specialised workshop session brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry stakeholders to explore the latest advancements in ammonia-based energy technologies. The discussions focused on material degradation and failure mechanisms in ammonia-fuelled systems, recent progress in material engineering for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), and advanced testing and validation strategies to ensure system reliability and durability. Particular attention was given to material-related challenges in ammonia cracker systems and to identifying pathways towards robust, efficient, and long-lasting ammonia-based energy solutions.
During the workshop, Mr. Saxelin Santeri from VTT represented the FuelSOME project, contributing to the dialogue and highlighting the project’s work and objectives in the field of sustainable ammonia-based energy systems.
Webinar 3: From cradle to grave: Assessing the sustainability of maritime e-fuels
Maritime transport is responsible for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions, making it one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. While alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol are gaining attention, their true sustainability depends on their full life cycle impacts.
In this FuelSOME webinar, we explore a Prospective Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) of a solid oxide fuel cell-based maritime propulsion system. The study evaluates both environmental and social impacts across the entire value chain, comparing emerging e-fuel pathways with conventional fossil-based fuels.
The results reveal key sustainability hotspots along global supply chains, highlighting that fuel production is the dominant contributor to overall impacts. In addition, the source of electricity used in fuel production plays a critical role in determining environmental performance.
The analysis also uncovers important trade-offs between greenhouse gas reductions and other environmental pressures, alongside social risks linked to ship operations and energy generation.
Key takeaway: Deep decarbonisation in maritime transport can only be achieved when hydrogen and ammonia are produced using 100% renewable energy sources.