The Innovation Programme “CAMPFIRE – Innovation Programme for the Development of a Decarbonised Energy System” was carried out by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under grant number 03WIR 2302 from 1 July 2019 to 31 October 2022. The programme’s main objective was to advance the production, storage and utilisation of ammonia as a carbon‑free energy carrier, with a particular focus on the maritime sector. Dr Angela Kruth, a professor at the University of Stuttgart, served as the overall project lead and coordinated the activities of the consortium, which comprised a range of research institutions, industry partners and technology developers.
The technical outcomes of the programme are organised into three product categories: (i) thin‑film membranes, (ii) green ammonia production, and (iii) emissions‑free maritime mobility. Within the thin‑film membrane category, the consortium developed advanced electro‑chemical and catalytic membranes for efficient ammonia synthesis from renewable electricity. The programme also advanced ammonia synthesis routes that minimise energy consumption and greenhouse‑gas emissions, and it produced a series of ammonia‑based power plants, including a mid‑load plant and a land‑based ammonia membrane reactor. In the green‑ammonia category, the programme delivered a full‑scale ammonia plant and a mid‑load plant, together with a flexible ammonia‑to‑hydrogen fueling station that enables the conversion of ammonia into hydrogen for fuel cells. The maritime mobility category saw the design and testing of ammonia‑powered vessels, ranging from a small yacht to a large cruise ship, as well as the development of logistics and infrastructure solutions such as flexible and land‑based fueling stations and a dedicated ammonia‑based combined heat and power plant (BHKW). Safety, standardisation and legal frameworks were addressed through dedicated sub‑projects that examined the environmental impact of ammonia spills, the development of safety protocols, and the creation of regulatory guidelines for the deployment of ammonia‑powered maritime vessels.
The programme’s management structure was built around a comprehensive management handbook that served as a guide for all partners. The handbook codified the project’s monitoring, reporting, communication and risk‑management procedures. A dedicated project coordinator, supported by project managers and caretakers, ensured that the programme’s milestones were met. Progress was tracked through quarterly reviews and monthly meetings, with documentation and status updates shared via SharePoint and presented in PowerPoint. The programme’s reporting system enabled the consortium to assess performance against predefined targets, although the excerpt does not provide specific quantitative performance metrics.
Overall, the programme contributed to the broader CAMPFIRE strategy by integrating the technical developments of thin‑film membranes, ammonia synthesis, and maritime propulsion into a coherent roadmap for a decarbonised energy system. The collaborative effort, led by Dr Kruth and supported by the BMBF, brought together a diverse set of partners across academia and industry, ensuring that the technical innovations were aligned with market needs and regulatory requirements. The programme’s outcomes laid the groundwork for the next phase of research and development, positioning ammonia as a viable, low‑carbon energy carrier for the maritime sector and beyond.