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DBI Strategic Research

Energy and Transport

DBI will be a Danish knowledge centre for fire safety for transport and renewable energy with a broad and interdisciplinary range of competence and tools for risk analysis, testing and simulation. In this way, DBI will strengthen existing fire safety in the field and contribute to a safe, green transition by ensuring that new technologies have an acceptable level of safety.

New technologies accelerating the green transition are currently emerging in the areas of renewable energy and maritime transport. This leads to new fire risks, as existing tools and regulations in the area cannot always be used to achieve a satisfactory level of safety. At the same time, incidents such as fires on container ships show that current regulations and practices in the area are not always sufficient to handle the risk.

DBI will help customers and stakeholders in the energy and transport sectors with these challenges. This will, on one hand, increase existing fire safety and, on the other, ensure that fire safety is not a barrier to new technologies, so that they can be put on the market and implemented more quickly. DBI will thus contribute to accelerating a safe, green transition. Initially, DBI will focus on wind energy, container ships and Power-to-X, but the number of areas will grow in the long term and follow the needs of customers and society.

DBI will use its broad range of expertise and competence, which include interdisciplinary risk assessment of complicated environments, assistance with product development, testing, consultancy and simulations. This will enable DBI to propose acceptable safety levels for new technologies and indicate how they can be incorporated into the existing rules and practices. A holistic, interdisciplinary approach to fire and safety enables DBI to offer advanced services that can meet customers’ needs on the technical, social and organisational levels, in relation to known challenges and new technologies.

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Project Manager
Thomas Hulin
Head of Energy and Transport, PhD
+45 22 81 84 66

thu@dbigroup.dk


Projects


Modelling of cable fires in electrical components in P2X

Nordic Hydrogen Hubs – Roadmaps towards 2030 and 2040 (NordicH2ubs)

The NordicH2ubs project, led by SINTEF Industry, aims to develop Nordic hydrogen valleys by 2040, focusing on technology, safety, and energy systems. In it, DBI examines safety at Hydrogen Refueling Stations with an emphasis on fire and explosion risks.
Project lead
Nicklas S. Koch
Human Factor Specialist, Advanced Fire Engineering

The project began in August 2023, and concludes September in 2026. Read more
New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

Safe Storage, Bunkering and Usage of Green Fuel (SafeSBU)

Ports in Denmark will be crucial for the Power-to-X industry, serving as storage and transit points for e-fuels. This introduces new risks and requires new skills. The project aims to ensure safety by providing tools for best practices in handling P2X fuels.
The project runs from: September 2023 to September 2026 Read more
New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

Project SEA-PtX

The research project SEA-PtX supports Denmark's decarbonization strategy by accelerating the implementation of green Power-to-X (PtX) technologies in Danish ports as future green energy hubs. It explores safety and ethical issues of PtX infrastructure and develops guidelines for citizen engagement and safety in new PtX projects.
Project lead
Kristian Holst Kristiansen
Ph.D Student

The project runs from: September 2023 to September 2026 Read more
Modeling of Hydrogen Jet Impingement on Structures for P2X Technologies

Modeling of Hydrogen Jet Impingement on Structures for P2X Technologies

As societies adopt renewable energy sources, there's a rising need for technologies converting intermittent electricity into valuable products (Power-to-X). Hydrogen, a key element in P2X , poses safety challenges due to its flammability and leakage risks. This project develops computational frameworks to simulate and predict hydrogen-related scenarios, enhancing the safety and efficiency in hydrogen use.
Project lead
Samaneh Tadayon Mousavi
Industrial postdoc

The project runs from: January 2024 to January 2026 Read more
New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

Project METAFUEL

Alternative fuels for shipping have great potential for green transition, and methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen are the most promising options today. The maritime industry faces changes and major decisions related to decarbonization in the near future. The METAFUEL project is developing a matrix-based method to support decisions for maritime stakeholders related to these new fuel types, including the application and relevance of technologies, equipment, and strategies for handling fire safety for alternative fuels.
Project lead
Mads Ragnvald Nielsen
Project Leader

The project runs from May 2024 to December 2025 Read more
DART

DART

As renewable energy production increases, it is anticipated that there will be more resistance from local citizens and interest groups. To address this issue, a national model for involving citizens in renewable energy systems will be developed through this project. DBI is participating in the first phase of the project, which involves creating tools that are driven by citizens to prevent and manage conflicts.
Project lead
Mette Marie V. Karsten
Lead Anthropologist (PhD)

The project will run from Spring 2023 to Fall 2025 Read more
Validation, in-depth analysis and development of available explosion models for P2X applications

Validation, in-depth analysis and development of available explosion models for P2X applications

Trustworthy and accurate modeling of the consequences of explosions from P2X systems is essential to reduce the risk of accidents, but the current models on the market are not validated for upcoming P2X applications. Therefore, the aim of the project is to analyze the current models in order to improve and verify them.
Project lead
Javier Ignacio Camacho Hernandez
Ph.d.

Burn Stuff

Burn Stuff

The replacement of fossil fuels for PtX products based on hydrogen poses a potential risk within fire safety. This project will therefore investigate the safety aspects of hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol through small and medium-sized experiments. The aim of the project is to ensure safe handling, storage and processes for the benefit of the industry.
Project lead
Mohammad Ahli-Gharamaleki
Research Consultant

The project runs from: September 2022 to December 2024 Read more
Contain

Public perception and social acceptance of Power-to-X technologies

This project highlights crucial dimensions of public safety perception and social acceptance of renewable energy technologies, which are of key in understanding and ensuring successful and sustainable implementation, acceptance, and usage of Power-to-X technologies.
Project lead
Mette Marie V. Karsten
Lead Anthropologist (PhD)

The project runs from: January 2022 to December 2024 Read more
Modeling of Cable Fires in Electrical Components in P2

Safe and Faster PtX

The 'Safe and Faster PtX' project is dedicated to advancing Denmark's Power-to-X industry by developing a comprehensive guideline to support safety, faster implementation, and public perception of PtX.
Project lead
Jesper Sjørvad
Function Leader

The project began in October 2022, and concludes December in 2024. Read more
Safe P2X

Safe P2X

Hydrogen plays a key role in Power-to-X solutions to produce e-fuels. There is a need for development of new safety solutions for hydrogen, but it can be challenging to find a way through approval processes as an SME. DBI is part of an EUDP funded project demonstrating a new hydrogen sensor. Using this process as a case, the project will develop a guide for SME’s looking to develop technological solutions for the Power-to-X field.
Project lead
Thomas Hulin
Head of Energy and Transport, PhD

The project was initiated in January 2022 and ends in December 2024. Read more
Contain

Results and conclusions from DBI’s Power-to-X Performance Contract

From 2021–2024, DBI is working strategically with Power-to-X (P2X) to contribute to the green transition and help industries, authorities, and the broader society reach both Danish and international climate goals.
The projects run from January 2021 – December 2024 Read more
Modelling of cable fires in electrical components in P2X

Modelling of cable fires in electrical components in P2X

The development of PtX entails increased fire hazards from the associated cables, but not to the extent that the current calculation models predict. Unnecessary increases in fire safety cost more money and more time than needed, which can slower the green transition. This project therefore aims to develop new modeling tools for assessing the fire risk of cables in PtX systems.
Project lead
Michael Plagge
Postdoc

The project runs from: September 2022 to September 2024 Read more
Contain

Offshore Hydrogen Wind Turbine

Offshore Hydrogen Wind Turbine (OHWT) is a development project supported by EUDP (the Danish Energy Agency). The project is executed in cooperation with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen Systems, Aalborg University (AAU) and Energy Cluster Denmark.
Project lead
Aqqalu Ruge
Project Manager

The project runs from: January 2021 to December 2023 Read more
Marco Polo DK

Marco Polo DK

This project aims to investigate the potential use of P2X in Danish ports in order to achieve CO2 reductions. By focusing on e-methanol the project will be centered around ports in North Jutland through main activities such as identifying safety and authority requirements, establish business cases, and create green corridors for sustainable shipping practices.
Project lead
Anders V. Kristensen
Project Leader

The project will be completed in August 2023 Read more
Contain

CARGOSAFE (EMSA study on containership fires)

Global trade depends on container ship freight, and it is more vulnerable than we might think. Recent events such as COVID-19 and the obstruction of the Suez Canal have demonstrated how easily shipping can be disrupted.
Project lead
Anders V. Kristensen
Project Leader

The project ran from: December 2021 and ran for 60 weeks Read more
Metanol til Læsø Rederi

Methanol for Læsø Rederi

A transition to Power-to-X fuels, such as methanol, can play a part in reducing climate impact and make maritime traffic greener. However, 30 procent of a ships CO2 emissions come from the construction rather than operations. This project investigates the emissions-reducing potential of retrofitting ships running on diesel to support a green dual fuel model using methanol and fuel cells, rather than constructing new ships.
Project lead
Anders V. Kristensen
Project Leader

The project runs from: January 2022 to December 2022 Read more
ELBAS

Electric Vehicle Fires at Sea: New Technologies and Methods For Suppression, Containment, and Extinguishing for Battery Car Fires On Board Ships (ELBAS)

The overall goal is to present new, holistic fire strategies for EV battery fires at sea to prevent and manage potential increase in fires as EVs make up a growing part of the Danish car fleet.
Project lead
Anders V. Kristensen
Project Leader

The project runs from: 2 September 2021 to 31 December 2022 Read more
challenges, opportunities and approval processes for operators within Power-to-X.

Uncovering of challenges, opportunities and approval processes for Danish and Norwegian operators within Power-to-X.

Strong collaboration between organisations, authorities and companies are crucial to successful and secure implementation of green P2X technologies. That is why we go into depth with the human and organisational aspects to contribute to a comprehensive picture of opportunities, challenges, security and risk within P2X.
Project lead
Mette Marie V. Karsten
Lead Anthropologist (PhD)

The project runs from: 2 September 2021 to 2 September 2022 Read more
Contain

Project Brint i Brande (Hydrogen in Brande)

Project Brint i Brande (Hydrogen in Brande) is a unique Power-to-X test site, that has allowed DBI a practical insight into the safety surrounding hydrogen production, and stimulated new perspectives on the possibilities and challenges for hydrogen in climate friendly energy and transport, the development of new fuel types and other uses in the green transition
Project lead
Thomas Hulin
Head of Energy and Transport, PhD

The project ran from: January 2021 to May 2021 Read more
Contain

Contain

Fires on board container ships are an increasing problem on a global scale. Historically, these fires have proven to be extremely complex and difficult to manage.
Project lead
Thomas Hulin
Head of Energy and Transport, PhD

The project runs from: 1 November 2019 to 31 December 2020 Read more
Contain

E-ferry

The project's aim is to design, build and demonstrate a 100% electrically-powered "green" ferry. The ferry will be able to transport passengers, cars and lorries on full scale over longer distances than seen hitherto.
Project lead
Carsten Møller
Business Developer

The project ran from: 1 June 2015 to 31 May 2020 Read more
FIRST

FIRST

The purpose of the project is to optimize the fire safety for future autonomous ships. We want to provide a foundation for a holistic fire strategy for autonomous small ferries in Denmark.
Project lead
Carsten Møller
Business Developer

The project ran from: January 1st 2018 to March 31st 2019 Read more
New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

The purpose of this project is to rethink and strengthen fire-fighting on board especially-exposed FRP vessels, by developing new guidelines for fire prevention, based on experience from the Umoe Ventus accident.
Project lead
Carsten Møller
Business Developer

The project ran from: 1 March to 9 February 2018 Read more
New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

Blue battery

The aim of the project is to improve fire safety in battery systems at sea. This is achieved by investigating previous fires in battery systems and as recommendations for future use of maritime battery systems.
Project lead
Carsten Møller
Business Developer

The project ran from: 1 April to 22 december 2017 Read more
New fire strategies in the wake of Umoe Ventus

Smoke and toxicity at sea

The project's overall purpose is to achieve a basis for a future Danish strategy for FRP components for maritime construction. This will be achieved by documenting any safety risks in relation to the smoke emissions of approved FRP products. The project's results will hereby contribute to strengthening fire safety on vessels with FRP components.
Project lead
Carsten Møller
Business Developer

The project ran from: 1 August 2016 to 30 September 2017 Read more
COMPASS

COMPASS

The purpose of the COMPASS project was to facilitate the design process for passenger vessels in lightweight composites for shipyards, suppliers and shipping companies. The purpose was also to facilitate the approval process for civil vessels with lightweight composite components.
Project lead
Carsten Møller
Business Developer

The project ran from: 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2016 Read more
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