Hydrogen carrier

Fossil chemicals and fuels can be phased out more quickly. Many technological opportunities are available and, of these, the global commitment to hydrogen represents a very important contribution. Methanol is little known in Norway so far, but ranks as a very efficient energy and hydrogen carrier which can be distributed and refuelled as easily as diesel oil and petrol.

Hydrogen solutions – pure hydrogen, ammonia or methanol

Hydrogen can be utilised via various energy carriers. These include pure hydrogen in liquid (at -253°C) or compressed (gaseous) form, or the more hydrogen-rich chemical substances ammonia and methanol.

Hydrogen (two hydrogen atoms)

Ammonia (three hydrogen atoms)

Methanol (four hydrogen atoms)

As a low-risk liquid, methanol is an excellent hydrogen carrier for fuel cells. At the point of use, it becomes enriched with locally supplied water and passes into a reformer which splits off the hydrogen for onward transmission to the cell. The water supplies a further 33 per cent of hydrogen to the cell. In total, that provides 2.1 times more hydrogen than using this is pure liquid form.

Biomethanol can contribute to rapid implementation

As an energy and hydrogen carrier, biomethanol has the same chemical composition as fossil methanol – CH₃OH
The technology is mature
A well-established production and distribution network exists
Methanol has a low risk profile
Cheap and simple storage and distribution are available for methanol

The technology is mature

Can be used a fuel for internal combustion engines

Can be used in fuel cells

"a significant role in reaching our commitment of 60 percent CO₂ fleet reduction by 2030"

"Our methanol-fueled vessels will play a significant role in reaching our commitment of 60 percent CO₂ fleet reduction by 2030 compared to 2008 levels. They will also be a proving ground where we learn how to bunker and operate carbon neutral vessels safely, efficiently and reliably, so we can continue building momentum towards carbon neutrality in 2050.”

“This groundbreaking container vessel shows that scalable solutions to properly solve shipping’s emissions challenge are available already today.”