Manufacturer Everllence has confirmed the operation of the first ethanol-fueled marine engine, extending its well-known ME-LGIM platform and demonstrating that this technology can be effectively adapted to new sustainable fuels.
Technological breakthrough with ethanol-fueled marine engine
The validation was carried out in Japan, where the ME-LGIM engine was ME-LGIM 90 mm bore ME-LGIM engine successfully completed operation on ethanol at all load points. This development follows a decade of work on alcohol combustion engines, initiated in 2016, when Everllence introduced its first commercial ME-LGIM engine for methanol carriers.
With the validation of ethanol, Everllence is positioned to document its technical behavior in real-world conditions, strengthening its portfolio of alternative fuels. “The market speaks and we listen,” said Bjarne Foldager, head of the two-stroke engine business. The company offers five dual-fuel technologies, including solutions based on methanol, LPG, LNG and in the future ammonia.
Michael Petersen, senior vice president of PrimeServ Denmark, said that this innovation facilitates the possibility of offering ethanol as a conversion option for existing engines, especially the S90 models. This approach would allow shipowners to integrate ethanol without the need to replace the entire engine, which is strategic for those seeking to achieve the IMO’s net zero emissions targets.
Despite technical progress, the company stresses the need for regulation that recognizes ethanol as a viable maritime fuel. viable marine fuel, along with a supply structureThe company stresses the need for regulation that recognizes ethanol as a viable marine fuel, along with a supply structure that allows its commercial adoption on a large scale.
Source and photo: Everllence
