R&D projects

HEPS-Marine – Highly Efficient Power System for Marine Vessels on Renewable Fuel

The cluster companies CMR Prototech and LMG Marin cooperate to develop a 5 kW fuel cell-based energy source, over 60 percent efficiency, for use in vessels. The project is funded by the MAROFF-programme (The Norwegian Research Council).

Electrification of the Osterøy ferry

Project partners from the cluster is CMR Prototech and Greenstat. The project received early-phase funding from the cluster’s Innovation Programme, leading to the collection of information about systems and components for a hydrogen-driven fuel cell solution on board the ferry MF Ole Bull. The project results formed the basis for an application for a main project in the EU’s FCH2JU programme and a potential project in cooperation with the Osterøy municipality.

Development of a surveillance system for automatic detection of damages on the net cage

The cluster partner Uni Research Polytec participates in a R&D project focusing on surveillance of fish farms to prevent salmon from escaping. Fish that escape is a significant problem for the seafood industry today. The R&D project will  develop suitable equipment and data programs analysing picture streams from the net cages to recognize visual discrepancies. The project was allocated 3 MNOK from the Regional Research Fund in 2016.

Reduction of noise and vibrations in industry and construction

Uni Research Polytec received funding from the cluster’s Innovation Programme and the Regional Research Fund to develop technology to reduce noise with 97,5 % . The ship-owner Østensjø is also involved in the project. Noise is a huge problem, especially in ships, because it can lead to hearing damages, stress and reduced concentration for the crew. The company Xilentech has been established to develop and commercialize the project technology

Riskop – Risks in offshore operations

The Western University of applied science is working with Knutsen OAS Shipping, Solstad Offshore, Westcon, Eidesvik and Østensjø Rederi in a project identfying risks related to management of IMR operations on vessels. The project is receiving funding from the MAROFF program until the end of 2017.

The BallastFlow project

The shipowner company Knutsen OAS Shipping has developed a ballast water treatment system (KBAL) with the capacity to cleanse 3000 m3 water per hour. The project is very relevant due to IMO’s ballast water convention coming into force in 2017. The Western University of applied science is the R&D project partner.

Clean Highly Efficient Offshore Power (CHEOP)

CMR Prototech is developing a robust 10Kw solide oxide fuel cell (SOFC) ideal for use in offshore applications. The project is also developing a MW-scaled system for future use in other applications. The project will receive funding from The Norwegian Research Fund until late 2017. The other project partner from the cluster is Statoil.