The CAMPFIRE alliance, comprising experts from research, industry and politics, aims to develop technical solutions for emission-free maritime mobility in the near future, which could become a core element of the economy in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. At a workshop at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) today, Thursday, 31 January, the experts discussed the strategy for the practical implementation of the project.
Greifswald, 31 January 2019. It is a clear vision for the economic future of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: in future, electricity generated from renewable energy sources could be used much more locally and serve as fuel for new technologies. Based on a comprehensive concept developed by 30 project partners from research, industry and politics, the CAMPFIRE alliance, founded over a year ago, aims to bring about structural change in the north-east region. CAMPFIRE brings together the expertise of various research institutes and companies from the energy sector, the maritime industry and the fertiliser industry. The central element of the concept is the production of green ammonia and its use for emission-free ship propulsion and the production of sustainable fertiliser. This raw material, which can be produced from locally generated wind or solar power, water and air, is already regarded by experts as the "petroleum of the future".
However, it is only through the integration of innovative electroceramic nanolayers that the energy conversion processes involved in ammonia production can be made economically viable. This technological leap is to be achieved by CAMPFIRE within a five-year implementation phase. To this end, the alliance has applied for funding from the "WIR! – Wandel durch Innovation in der Region" (Change through Innovation in the Region) programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM) and the Stralsund University of Applied Sciences (HOST) are acting as coordinators.
Vorpommern State Secretary Patrick Dahlemann (SPD) emphasises the importance of the CAMPFIRE project for the region: "Here in Vorpommern, a flagship project is emerging that will have a far-reaching impact on the state and can provide a strong economic boost. This is a great opportunity for MV to link two important economic sectors, the energy industry and the maritime economy. Emissions-free shipping also protects our state's most important natural treasure – the Baltic Sea."
Dr Donald Höpfner, Managing Director of the Rostock branch of fertiliser manufacturer YARA, said: "Together with our alliance partners, we want to develop new technical solutions for the production of green ammonia at the Rostock site. This approach not only protects the environment, but also strengthens the region's economy." Until now, ammonia has had to be imported mainly by sea.
CAMPFIRE project manager Dr Angela Kruth also gives a thoroughly positive interim assessment: "The alliance has grown steadily and we are receiving an overwhelming response from the business community." There are innovative concepts around the world relating to ammonia. For example, the chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen is already intended as a fuel for state-of-the-art vehicle engines and turbines. In other model projects, ammonia is to be used to secure the energy supply in remote areas. In addition, ammonia is an excellent energy storage medium and could therefore serve as an intermediate step for the utilisation of hydrogen. If small-scale production processes for ammonia based on new electroceramic components that could be connected directly to wind farms were to be developed, this would be a breakthrough, emphasises the INP researcher. "However, further research projects are needed to tailor vehicles, energy systems, legal frameworks and safety concepts to the new energy source. We also need to increase public acceptance of ammonia."
Scientific contact person:
Dr. Angela Kruth
Projektleitung
Leibniz-Institut für Plasmaforschung und Technologie
Tel. +49 3834 554 3860
E-Mail:
angela.kruth@inp-greifswald.de Weitere Informationen:
