Innovation Norway grants partners in NCE Maritime CleanTech funding for four projects through the support scheme “Innovasjonsrammen 2019”.
– This is great news for the cluster, and an excellent example of what active engagement in cluster collaboration can result in. These forward-thinking companies seek collaboration to develop new solutions, and all projects can make an important contribution to the green transition at sea, says CEO Hege Økland of NCE Maritime CleanTech.
The cluster applied for the scheme on behalf of four projects. All four projects have now been granted funding, and the work starts immediately.
– We are impressed by the amount of new ideas and projects generated by the cluster members. This is proof of the high level of engagement in NCE Maritime CleanTech. It also shows the partner’s ability and determination to create new innovations. We are also pleased to see that money from “Innovasjonsrammen” often is a starting point for larger projects, says Regional Director Nina Broch Mathisen at Innovation Norway.
From PSV to CSV
In this project, cluster partners Blueday Technology and ETA Energi aim to find new solutions for converting a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) to a Cruise Support Vessel (CSV). The project’s main goal is to design a complete business model for the development of this “new“ vessel-type.
The project idea is based on NCE Maritime CleanTechs early stage concept developed through the Zero Emission Cruising project launched in April 2019. The aim is to develop a CSV concept that – loaded with energy – can escort cruise ships in and out of the Norwegian fjords with zero emission.
VR in the shipbuilding industry
The second project aims to facilitate the use of VR-technology in the yard industry, both in the design phase and in the early stages of new projects. By implementing VR-technology yards can save time, resources and energy. Project partners Kværner (yard) and Storm Industrial Design (developer) will together map the future need for digital tools.
Local production of green H2 for the aquaculture
The third project aims to create a completely new business model for zero emission solutions in the aquaculture industry, by enabling hydrogen powered boats and aggregates. Energy company and project leader Greenstat will look into one of the industry’s main challenges; to both produce and sell green hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels.
Tech company Hyon will look into the conversion of diesel-powered boats to hydrogen powered boats, storage and transportation of hydrogen and ways to secure produced oksygen and waste heat. After completing these steps, Hyon will be able to price necessary investments. These investment costs will serve as input to Greenstats new economic analysis and business model.
Greenstat is already in dialogue with a number of companies in the aquaculture industry who are looking into opportunities for converting their boats to hydrogen operation, and to replace diesel aggregates on fish farms with hydrogen powered aggregates.
The project’s main focus is to gather enough information to set up a business model. This model will be used to determine if new hydrogen projects in the aquaculture industry are economic sustainable or not.
Combating underwater noise from ships
An important environmental concern within the maritime industry is the noise from propellers on ships and its impact on the marine environment. In this project cluster CFD Marine and Servogear aim to develop methods to estimate noise from propellers on fast ferries. This can map the problem, and lead to new projects developing propellers with less noise.
The project idea is a result of NCE Maritime CleanTech’s collaboration with the cluster Washington Maritime Blue and partners on the west coast of USA and Canada, where habitats for sea animals are threatened by noise from shipping activities.