As hydrogen fuel becomes commercially available, Bergen Engines has launched a comprehensive test program to ensure that the company can make a smooth transition from liquid natural gas to 100% green hydrogen fuel.

It has been successfully completed the first tests on a B-Series Bergen gas engine, which is running on 15 percent hydrogen and 85 percent natural gas, without any hardware adjustments. While emissions of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were reduced at all load levels, the power output was maintained in accordance with the design specifications. The lower levels of unburned hydrocarbons and methane leakage have also been demonstrated.

In land power generation, short sea and inland navigation, hydrogen is widely regarded as the best energy carrier for renewable fuel production. Zero carbon emissions can be achieved by using a fuel mix of hydrogen and natural gas.

New engines will be able to accept hydrogen content of up to 60%, and Bergen Engines hopes to have a commercial solution on the market that can accept 100%.

It is the company’s goal to use low levels of hydrogen in its current gas engine fleet without making any hardware changes. The Bergen engines will be ready and mature for higher levels of hydrogen when viable access to green hydrogen is available. The cost of an engine upgrade can be offset by a piston replacement as part of a major service revision, so that a portion of the cost can be included in the overall cost of the service.