Finland has emerged as a pioneer in sustainable energy with the unveiling of a revolutionary ammonia-powered engine. This technological marvel promises to outshine both traditional hydrogen and electric vehicles (EVs), marking a significant leap forward in the quest for cleaner transportation solutions worldwide.
While hydrogen has long been hailed as the fuel of the future due to its zero-emission properties, Finland’s breakthrough with ammonia offers compelling advantages over its predecessors. Unlike hydrogen, ammonia boasts higher energy density and safer storage capabilities, addressing critical challenges such as transportation logistics and storage safety. This makes it not only a viable alternative but a superior one in many respects.
Ammonia’s higher energy density allows for more efficient storage and transportation, crucial for widespread adoption in various industries, including transportation and energy sectors. Moreover, leveraging existing ammonia infrastructure minimizes the need for costly new infrastructure developments, facilitating a smoother transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.
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The global impact of Finland’s innovation cannot be overstated. Ammonia, widely recognized for its use in agriculture and refrigeration, now emerges as a versatile solution for energy storage and transportation. This versatility extends its application beyond conventional fuel sources, promising a greener future across multiple industries.
Leading the charge in this paradigm shift is Wärtsilä, a Finnish engineering company renowned for its marine and energy solutions. Wärtsilä has introduced the world’s first commercially available 4-stroke ammonia engine, setting a new standard for sustainable shipping operations. This engine, part of the Wärtsilä 25 platform, not only meets but exceeds stringent environmental targets, making it a preferred choice for forward-thinking ship owners like Viridis Bulk Carriers.
“The maritime industry must significantly reduce its emissions if we are to succeed in reaching the goals set in the Paris agreement. The adoption of new technologies and ammonia as a carbon free fuel is central to this,” said André Risholm, Board member at Viridis Bulk Carriers. “We are delighted to partner with Wärtsilä on another important milestone for our ammonia-powered short sea bulk vessels.”
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Viridis Bulk Carriers, in collaboration with Wärtsilä, is spearheading the adoption of ammonia-powered vessels, aiming for zero-emission shipping solutions. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in maritime history, demonstrating the feasibility and efficacy of ammonia as a marine fuel. With emissions reductions surpassing 70% compared to traditional diesel engines, these vessels align with EU and IMO targets for greenhouse gas reduction, paving the way for sustainable maritime transport.
“The ammonia solution is based on Wärtsilä’s well-proven LNG system, from which we have gained invaluable experience. The Wärtsilä 25 engine has been designed for easy adoption of sustainable fuels and, now, in addition to its previous capability of operating on diesel, LNG, or on gas or liquid carbon-neutral biofuels, we are proud to add ammonia to its specifications. This makes Wärtsilä 25 a thoroughly future-proof engine platform, that combines operational efficiency with environmental sustainability.” added Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power business.
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The prospects for ammonia as a mainstream fuel are promising. Ongoing projects such as the green ammonia production at Kokkola Industrial Park underscore Finland’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions. As technology evolves, further advancements in ammonia engine technology are anticipated, promising even greater efficiency and environmental benefits.
“This is only the beginning,” continued Stefan Nysjö, Vice President of Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power. “The Wärtsilä 25 is the first Wärtsilä engine to run on ammonia as a fuel, and this is an important milestone, but we do not stop here. While we are planning for additional ammonia engines in our portfolio over time, we are also committed to continue development and testing of technologies and solutions that can continue to support the industry with reducing greenhouse gas emissions even further in the future.”
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