Crafting Clean Power

Alma Clean Power, headquartered in Bergen, is a tech firm specialising in developing clean power solutions. Building off of decades of research in maritime and energy technology, they are developing their solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology for various industries and fuel types.

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“Our high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells can use various types of fuels. That’s one of the key advantages that it presents,” said Ina Ekeberg, Head of Customer Development for Alma Clean Power. She also added that, in addition to enabling zero emissions, Alma’s solid oxide fuel cells can operate at a much higher efficiency than typical diesel-powered combustion engines.  “It’s a step up in terms of reducing fuel consumption”.

Alma Clean Power is the first firm to be launched by Bergen-based Clara Venture Labs, known for developing innovations in industrial technology and components that enable the “net zero transition”. As such, Alma has been able to make full use of the resources available through Clara Venture Labs. “They’re a great backer to have”, added Ekeberg.

Considering the potential of Alma’s SOFC technology, market leaders in the energy sector have begun adopting this technology. Among them are Equinor, Aker BP, Lundin Energy and the Odfjell group. According to Ekeberg, this roster is a clear indication of the faith that Alma’s technology instils. “I believe they trust us and what our technology can deliver,” she said. “This strong list of customers gives us even more confidence in our technology”.

Bergen-based benefits

Ekeberg cited a number of reasons for Alma’s presence in Bergen.

Chief among them has been the region’s comprehensive ecosystem of Norwegian shipping companies, adding that they are frontrunners in decarbonisation. “As a company where maritime shipping is a key segment, Bergen is the ideal place in Norway,” she said. “After all, it is Norway’s maritime capital”.

Another reason she cited was the region’s collaborative network of companies, particularly those specialising in maritime and petroleum technologies. She also added that the best scientists and researchers in high-temperature fuel cell technology can be found in Fantoft (located in central Bergen).

“Overall, the ecosystem is great for collaboration, especially when it comes to decarbonisation,” she added.

Alternative for electrification

High on the agenda for Norway’s net zero ambitions has been decarbonising its petroleum sector. While using electricity from the Norwegian shore has been an option, this could pose considerable challenges for the country’s national grid and power supply.

Last year, Alma proposed using their fuel cell technology as an alternative to electrification. Like gas turbines, Alma’s fuel cells can operate on natural gas but are twice as efficient, thereby producing only half the normal emissions. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide that is produced comes in a concentrated form, allowing for cost- and energy-efficient carbon capture.

The objective will be to install zero-emission systems to power offshore installations. Installing such a system would both self-sustain these facilities and “not impose on the local grid”, according to Ekeberg

In addition, Alma proposes building a 300-megawatt power plant at Kollsnes (in Greater Bergen). According to Alma Clean Power’s CEO Bernt Skeie, the infrastructure in place at Kollsnes makes it “well-suited” for its fuel cell-based power plant. This infrastructure includes the area’s natural gas plant and the Northern Lights CO₂ project – scheduled to begin operations in 2024.

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“The local ecosystem at Kollsnes has natural gas and will soon have CO₂ storage with the Northern Lights project. In addition, many new green industries, such as hydrogen production, are being planned in that area,” explained Ekeberg.

She added “these green industries, which are part of the Norwegian government’s green platform, require a lot of power. Therefore, building a fuel cell-based power plant could solve the power challenge and at the same time demonstrate a local technology with global potential”.

Shipping pilot projects

Another of Alma Clean Power’s ambitions has been to contribute to the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. Utilising its fuel cell technology, it is currently in the pilot and/or demonstration phase of a number of prototype ship projects with various fuel types.

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Ship FC

This EU-funded project will involve retrofitting an ammonia-operated solid oxide fuel cell module onboard the offshore vessel Viking Energy. Set to be installed in 2024, this will be the world’s first ammonia-powered fuel cell system installed on a vessel. The goal is that the 2-megawatt fuel cell system will enable zero-emission travel.

Helenus

Another EU-funded endeavour, this project will demonstrate the feasibility of using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) with Alma’s SOFC technology. Currently, LNG is being used as a maritime fuel with today’s combustion engines, which operates less efficiently than SOFCs. If successful, this project could trigger the scaling of this technology in ocean cruise vessels.

CHEOP-CC

The CHEOP-CC project aims to develop and test a complete power system utilising SOFCs with integrated carbon capture. Further on, it will prepare for its installation as an auxiliary power unit onboard an Odfjell deep-sea chemical tanker vessel. This is a collaborative endeavour with Odfjell SE, Wärtsilä Norway and AkerBP/Lundin, with additional support from Gassnova Climit Demo.

Moving forward

As Alma Clean Power advances with these innovation projects, its ambitions towards contributing to decarbonisation are evident.

“Our key focus is on maritime shipping and petroleum. With that, we can directly address 30% of Norway’s emissions,” said Ekeberg. “So, I truly believe we can contribute to decarbonisation”.

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