Swiss WinGD will offer the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke marine engine next year, with deliveries for newbuild and retrofit applications starting in 2027. The announcement follows a decade of investigation into ethanol fuel and the launch of a methanol-fuelled engine.
WinGD conducted full-scale engine tests using ethanol in 2018. In addition, the ethanol engine builds on the development of the methanol-fuelled engine as it uses the same combustion concept and is subject to the same safety regulations as the new ethanol engine.
Also read: WinGD and Hanwha deliver engine that cuts methane slip
Adapted from methanol engine
The new engine will be adapted from the X DF-M methanol-fuelled engine, which has received strong feedback from first users and class societies approving the design. The diesel-cycle concept — available across the full range of bore sizes currently offered by WinGD — will feature an adapted control system and fuel injector nozzle arrangement to account for the higher energy density of ethanol and the consequently lower fuel volumes required.
WinGD has been studying ethanol fuel, which has a similar combustion and emissions profile to methanol, since 2014 beginning with a project financed by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. WinGD later led work to develop a flexible injector for alcohol fuels as part of the EU-funded HERCULES 2 project starting in 2016. Ethanol can be produced renewably from biomass and is prevalent at a competitive price in some national markets, driving interest in the new fuel.
WinGD VP R&D Sebastian Hensel: ‘Our early ethanol explorations were crucial to the successful development of our X DF-M methanol engine, and now both are enabling the rapid commercialisation of the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke engine. As global emission regulations are set to be passed, we’re pleased to be able to offer a further lower carbon alternative to ship owners and operators.’
Also read: WinGD joins MAMII to cut methane slip
Ethanol or ethanol-methanol dual-fuel
WinGD is in discussions with several shipowners, ethanol fuel suppliers and class societies about the first commercial applications of its ethanol engine – and will confirm at a later date whether the engine will be optimised for ethanol or optimised for methanol with secondary ethanol capability. WinGD also recently became a founding member of the Global Ethanol Association in an effort to connect key enablers in the ethanol value chain.
Picture: WinGD will offer the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke marine engine next year (image by WinGD).
Also read: WinGD’s first ammonia engine installed on Exmar vessels
