Innovation Norway funds Alma's zero-emission vessel technology
Innovation Norway has awarded Alma Clean Power in Bergen up to 49 million NOK in funding for a project aiming to develop environmental technology that will enable zero-emission ocean-going vessels.
- This is an important project for the green transition with a potential to contribute to the goal of a 50% reduction in emissions in international shipping," says Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway.
Shipping accounts for about 2.5-3 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Alma has several ongoing development projects aimed at more environmentally friendly maritime transportation. The project, which is now receiving partial funding from Innovation Norway, will develop and deliver energy systems based on high-temperature fuel cells for use in ocean-going vessels. The fuel cells will have high efficiency, be built in a compact system and can be used on different types of fuel - ammonia, methanol or other hydrogen carriers.
In the picture: Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, CEO in Alma Bernt Skeie and Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran. Credit: Alma Clean Power
The grant from Innovation Norway is crucial for us to be able to carry out a pilot project with customers who will use the solution. The project will be important to develop Alma's core technology, and to contribute to industrialization and commercialization, says Bernt Skeie, CEO of Alma Clean Power AS.
Full scale factory in 2026
Alma was established in Bergen in 2021 and has created a solid competence environment with 30 employees. A significant certification process must be carried out to get approval of the solution for use in ships. The R&D project will span 3 years with a total cost framework of NOK 163 million. The solution will now be tested as a pilot, and if the technology development succeeds, the next phase will be the establishment of a full-scale factory in 2026.
This project has significant positive environmental effects, potential for value creation in Norway, and an international market potential as a technology that can contribute to zero-emission vessels, says Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Bjørnar Skjæran.
