The newly launched Green Ray Initiative, coordinated by VTT Technical research institute in Finland, is a 5-year research project which aims to reduce methane slip from LNG-powered engines. The project has received funding worth 7 million euros from the European Commission and intends to work on multiple avenues to reduce methane slip from both newbuilds and retrofits.
The project primarily focuses on a low-pressure dual-fuel engine concept, as this engine is popular in marine applications. Within this, the project aims to develop three technologies. The first one is a four-stroke engine that will enable methane slip reduction at all engine loads, this kind of engine will find use in cruises, ferries, and gas carriers. The second will be a two-stroke engine with a patented LNG injection system, which will be used in tankers and container ships. And the third and final will be an after-treatment technology involving a sulfur-resistant catalyst system that will be able to reduce the emissions originating from methane slip by up to 95% and will reduce it to a level of 1g of emission per kWh of energy.
The project is expected to hit the ground running as many big names in the industry are its participants and backers, such as DNV, Wartsila, Shell, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, MSC Malta shipyard, CMA Ships, MSC Cruises, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
These technologies will be demonstrated on board two new ships and a retrofitted ship, up to the Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL7) standards. The project will also combine the data collected on emissions with onboard experiments and modeling to provide a more comprehensive outlook on the global impact on marine transport.
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