DLR Launches NAUTILUS Genset Demonstrator for Low Emission Maritime Transport
- DLR officially launched the operation of the NAUTILUS marine power generation demonstrator at its Stuttgart facility on 29 October 2024.
- This unique demonstrator features an innovative propulsion system based on a 60-kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) coupled with a 20-kW Li-ion battery, referred as the Genset, along with an advanced emissions measurement facility.
- The NAUTILUS genset is functional demonstrator for testing of eventually a scaled-up on-board energy system needing 5 to 60 MW power depending on vessel size and type.
- It is designed to be adaptable for various ships for capacities from 1,000 to over 5,000 passengers, and can meet a ship’s energy needs from propulsion, manoeuvring and from hotel loads to full power, while offering 30% of reduction in CO2 and 95% reduction in non-CO2 pollutants emissions.
- Focus: Energy, transport, fuel cell technologies, sustainable mobility, climate-compatible shipping.
On 29 October 2024, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) officially launched the NAUTILUS Genset demonstrator at its Stuttgart facility. The NAUTILUS project represents a significant step forward reducing the emissions for the maritime transport. Coordinated by DLR’s Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, NAUTILUS aims to create a power solution for long-haul passenger ships, designed to meet cruise ship’s energy requirements for propulsion, manoeuvring, and hotel amenities.
The Genset integrates Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology with a Li-ion battery to handle load transients, targeting reductions of over 40% in CO2 emissions and more than 90% in non-CO2 emissions compared to conventional maritime engines. At the inauguration, representatives from DLR and members of the NAUTILUS consortium gathered to celebrate the launch of this promising low emission maritime technology.
Innovative Hybrid Power System for Sustainable Shipping
As the maritime sector faces increasing pressure to decarbonize, the NAUTILUS Genset demonstrator offers a promising solution. The hybrid SOFC-battery system combines high-efficiency SOFC technology - which offers substantial emission reductions and fuel flexibility - with lithium-ion battery storage to balance the ship’s fluctuating energy demands. Together with technology partners SolydEra and MAN Energy Solutions and RWTH Aachen university, DLR launched the NAUTILUS genset demonstrator, specifically designed to manage power supply for fluctuating maritime energy needs while curbing the CO2 and non-CO2 emissions. This unit intelligently distributes power supply between the SOFC and battery, ensuring efficient operation during load changes in ship operations, while managing battery state-of-charge and monitors the level of battery state-of-health.
To validate the NAUTILUS system’s emission-reduction potential, the Stuttgart demonstration site is equipped with an advanced emissions measurement setup operated by Lund University. Emissions from the SOFC system are captured in an emission sampling box adjacent to the fuel cell chimney, then stored and analysed through a series of dedicated high precision equipment on site. These measurements capture data under conditions simulating typical maritime operations. The measurements have validated more than 30% reduction on CO2 emissions negligible methane slip and CO, as well as 95% lower particulate material versus references set by International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2008.
While the current Genset demonstrator is fuelled by natural gas, it can potentially utilize other future green fuels, enabling even greater emission reduction potential. This fuel-flexible technology positions NAUTILUS as a robust solution not only for meeting the current International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 emissions targets but also for advancing toward net-zero goals beyond 2030.
Official commissioning and Launch Event
The launch event at DLR Stuttgart marked a key milestone in the NAUTILUS project. Dr. Syed Asif Ansar, Head of the Energy System Integration department and project coordinator, along with Professor Dr. André Thess, Director of the Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, opened the ceremony. Dr. Ansar highlighted the project’s technical journey, underscoring the environmental impact that SOFC-battery hybrid technology could achieve for long-distance passenger shipping. The demonstrator was presented as a pioneering approach to reducing emissions and minimizing reliance on the traditional fuels required by diesel engines, marking a fundamental shift forward in maritime power systems. Dr. Steffen Knodt, a board member of the German Association for Marine Technology, discussed broader environmental and climate change issues related to ocean protection with strong emphasis on technology change. Massimo Bertoldi, chief of technology development at SolydEra, focused in his presentation on the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system used in the NAUTILUS project provided by SolydEra for the NAUTILUS Genset demonstrator.
Future Prospects for Green Shipping Technology
With promising preliminary results, the NAUTILUS Genset is anticipated to serve as a stepping stone for broader applications in the shipping industry. The project’s success points toward a future where maritime transport aligns with climate goals by significantly cutting emissions through reduced dependency on traditional fuels. The Genset's scalability and adaptability to future sustainable fuels provide further potential for decarbonizing long-haul maritime transport, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable industry.
Overarching Collaboration for Sustainable Maritime Power Systems
The NAUTILUS project demonstrates impactful collaboration between science and industry to advance sustainable maritime technology. Coordinated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), it brings together a consortium of leading research institutions and industry players. By combining the expertise of these stakeholders, the NAUTILUS project has developed, evaluated, and validated a hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and battery power system for cruise ships, capable of significantly reducing emissions. Industry contributions—such as SolydEra's SOFC system, RWTH Aachen’s energy management system, MAN Energy Solutions’ battery and control container, and precise emissions analysis led by Lund University—highlight the project’s integrative approach. The onsite integration of all components was coordinated by the DLR Institute for Engineering Thermodynamics, leading to successful commissioning at the end of October 2024.
About NAUTILUS
NAUTILUS (Nautical Integrated Hybrid Energy System for Long-haul Cruise Ships) is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program with a budget of €7.9 million over 54 months. DLR leads the project alongside a consortium of 15 partners, including major shipping companies, shipyards, and research institutions across nine European countries, all working together to create a greener maritime future:
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Carnival Maritime GmbH, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , GRANT Garant, Lloyd's Register, MAN Energy Solutions, Meyer Werft Papenburg, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, SolydEra S.p.A. Italy, Delft University of Technology, Lund University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, SolydEra SA Switzerland.
Projektwebseite: www.nautilus-project.eu