EXECUTIVE INSIGHT LEADING THE PROFESSIONAL CHARGE
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ACCELERATING THE GREEN TRANSITION
ISSUE 53
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Accelerating the
Green Transition TECO 2030, a Norwegian company developing zeroemission technology for the maritime and heavy-duty industries, is progressing to commercial production of fuel-cell stacks in its own facility in Narvik, Norway. “We want to play an active part in the green transition, to make the world a better place for future generations,” says Tore Enger, the company founder and CEO.
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s the focus on de-carbonisation of industrial operations increases, a few companies are blazing the trail with innovative technologies. One of them is Norwegian TECO 2030, founded in 2019, a spin-off from TECO Maritime Group that has provided technology and services to the global shipping industry since 1994.
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Fuel cell and electrolyser assembly & testing solutions @ thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering • MEA & BPP manufacturing • Stacking and system assembly • Break-in and test benches • Turnkey production lines
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering The share of renewables in global electricity generation is rising but storage and transportation still pose a major challenge where hydrogen is poised to take over a leading role. To enable the sustainable and cost-competitive use of hydrogen, thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering is focusing on efficient production equipment for the entire value chain. We form the missing link between product and serial production of electrolysers and fuel cells providing •extensive technical capabilities for assembly and testing •an established supplier network •a scalable turnkey solution ensuring flexibility and tailored for your requirements •a modular and scalable turnkey solution •a 100% automated end-to-end processes ensuring speedy and high quality production Based on our experiences and references from projects implemented across multiple industries, we will find the right solution for you. We would also be happy to work in a joint development project! Why wait? Let us start to explore your future of production! thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering is supplier of TECO2030: “We are pleased to be working with TECO2030 in implementing zero emission shipping and heavy industry and their goal of establishing a complete PEM fuel cell production line in Narvik,” Michael Menneking, CEO of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering. About thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering: thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering is an internationally operating business unit of the Multi Tracks segment of thyssenkrupp AG. The company bundles all activities in the field of powertrain, fuel cell and battery assembly including test with a major focus on the transformation towards electro mobility. More than 1.400 employees work in ten countries worldwide. For more information, please visit https://www.thyssenkrupp-automation-engineering.com/en
TECO 2030 has been active in several areas, including emission reduction systems such as exhaust gas cleaning systems for ships, but its biggest focus is currently on developing hydrogen fuel cells, a breakthrough technology for the shipping industry. Fuel cells generate electricity through a mechanism that doesn’t require combustion.
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This means they produce fewer pollutants than conventional, combustion-based power generation technologies. In addition, they are also highly efficient, producing more power per unit of fuel when comparing them to
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fossil fuels. As such, they offer an alternative to traditional power generation with significant health, reliability, and environmental benefits. Right now, TECO 2030 is in the process of building Europe’s first giga factory for hydro-
gen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel-cell stacks and modules at its Innovation Centre in Narvik in northern Norway. The production capacity will be built up through 2023 and early 2024, targeting an output capacity of up to 120 MW
of fuel cells in 2024, 400 MW in 2025 and 1.6 GW in 2030. Into production In May 2023 TECO 2030 achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the first manual production of hydrogen fuel-cell
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stacks. Tore Enger affirms that the ambitious project has progressed according to plan. “We spent a lot of time immaculately planning all aspects of the project. Completing this stage is a major achievement, attributable to all our employees, experienced in both the fuel-cell development and production.” “I am grateful for what the team has achieved together with our strong partners. Today we can offer the first bottom-up developed marine and heavy-duty PEM fuel-cell technology. This brings us one step closer to cleaner operations in energy-intensive industries such as marine shipping, and mobile and stationary heavy-duty applications with a scalable plug and play solution from 400kWs and upwards.” He explained that work on completing the production facility, which should be up and running 8
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next summer, is in full swing. TECO 2030 has chosen leading global companies to supply the equipment as well as participate in the design and development, such as thyssenkrupp, which is now installing the production line; and AVL, a forerunner in hydrogen powertrain application development, which will validate the stack technology for heavy-duty applications. “We wanted to have the best of the best working together, to create the best product with minimum risk,” he affirms. Pioneering technology Mr Enger explains that the projects TECO 2030 is implementing reflect the changes in industry in general and address both landbased and offshore needs for clean, renewable energy. The first TECO 2030 fuel-cell stacks to be deployed include the 800kW HydroPilot
container set to be in operation at the end of 2023. Hydropilot, a fuel-cell power generator, has been designed to provide a zero-emission power supply at construction sites. The HydroPilot container is funded by the Norwegian-state owned funding company ENOVA SF with approx. EUR 1.5 million. Following the production of the container, TECO 2030’s Narvik team will start the production of the fuel-cell stacks for the EU-funded Horizon Europe HyEkoTank project. HyEkoTank will demonstrate the world’s first and largest 2.4 MW marine fuel-cell system for a retrofit installation onboard a product tanker owned by Tarbit Shipping AB sailing on charter to a Shell plc subsidiary. “We are thrilled to continue to showcase how hydrogen can contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions within the marine
industry. This project has the potential to enable seaborne transport without any emissions,” says Mr Enger. “Our fuel cells are the first purpose-developed marine fuel cells, with an industry-leading footprint and without compromising efficiency.” The technology has attracted considerable interest in other sectors, as indicated by the latest Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2023 with a European motor company, interested in the FCM400 modules for their development of an integrated skid/ containerized fuel-cell system for their market segments. The agreement also includes utilizing the FCM400 module within their ongoing projects to ensure a solid partnership and collaboration platform in the years to come. For future generations “Everything is changing, everyone is looking
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I am grateful for what the team has achieved together with our strong partners. at new types of fuels and engines. These developments have a profound impact across industries and the whole supply chain is moving in a new direction. We have 200 suppliers in our value chain, all of them lined up to work with us in the years to come. The suppliers will be an integral part of our growth, as this emerging industry opens many new opportunities.”
Mr Enger does not hide his passion for the environment and the green transition, specifically in the marine industry that continues to be a significant polluter. “For us, sustainability and efficient use of marine technology are at the heart of everything we do. There is a growing demand in the industry for green marine technology; providing sustainable high-quality
products to the market is the main goal for TECO 2030.” He points out that in the coming months the company will focus on completing its production facility in Narvik, as well as working with clients, pushing for increased demand. “We will strive to continue to have strong relationships with all our stakeholders – our dedicated and committed work force and
our partners.” “We can see many projects coming up in the fuel-cell space, many are already active and there are more to come. As a company, we are proud to participate in changing the world. Hopefully in 20 years’ time we can sit and relax, and say that we did something good for the generations to come,” he reflects in concluding. 9
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EXECUTIVE INSIGHT LEADING THE PROFESSIONAL CHARGE
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