Project description
Advancing zero-carbon engines for long-distance shipping
Decarbonising long-distance shipping is a priority but also a challenge. Current battery and fuel cell technologies cannot yet provide the energy and reliability needed for long ocean voyages. The EU-funded H4PERION project is developing a marine engine capable of operating on hydrogen and biomethane, with the goal of achieving 100 % hydrogen operation on a large oceangoing vessel. The project will also create fuel supply and exhaust treatment systems to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Safety guidelines, training materials, and commercialisation plans will also be created. Overall, the project’s goal is to support Europe’s leadership in zero-carbon maritime technologies.
Objective
"In the global quest to decarbonize maritime transport, long-distance shipping presents a unique challenge. Vast ocean journeys, often spanning weeks, require immense energy storage and reliability – two preconditions that emerging battery and fuel cell technologies struggle to fulfil yet. The H4PERION project aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of large oceangoing vessels by developing a novel internal combustion engine (ICE) capable of running on the zero-carbon fuels hydrogen and biomethane, with the potential for 100% hydrogen operation. For the first time in maritime history a large 24.000 GT vessel with a total installed capacity of 17,6 MW will be equipped with a hydrogen engine as the prime mower. Besides the engine innovations, ancillary solutions in the form of a novel fuel supply and blending system and an exhaust gas aftertreatment solution will be developed and demonstrated, resulting in an unprecedented performance of the entire H4PERION marine power plant: 100% CO2 reduction, 90% NOx and SOx reduction, 80% PM reduction and at least 80% methane slip reduction. H4PERION is expected to significantly contribute towards the decarbonisation of long-distance shipping beyond 2030. By installing the technology on 10% of cruise ships on orderbook at EU shipyards until 2036, H4PERION can contribute towards the avoidance of 6,5 million tons of CO2 over a 10 year period. Replication studies towards at least 3 different vessel types coupled with lifecycle performance assessment will ensure a solid plan for the post-project commercialisation of ""Made in Europe"" H4PERION technologies is in place. The project will also develop an open-access knowledge repository of health & safety guidelines, bespoke certifiable ship crew and port operator training materials, and a standardisation blueprint for the zero-carbon fuel hydrogen."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- humanities history and archaeology archaeology underwater archaeology
- social sciences social geography transport
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2025-04
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
65101 Vaasa
Finland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.