The MARPOWER project was showcased at Hydrogen Expo 2026, held from 9 to 11 June in Piacenza, Italy. Recognised as Italy’s largest exhibition and conference dedicated to hydrogen technologies, the event brought together companies, research organisations, technology providers and institutional stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in hydrogen production, transport, storage and end-use applications.
With more than 170 exhibitors and over 5,000 visitors, Hydrogen Expo provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and exploring innovative solutions supporting the energy transition across multiple industrial sectors.
MARPOWER team members Fiorella Valenti and Marco Ariagno from project partner RINA Consulting attended the event. Together with other RINA colleagues at the organisation’s stand, they engaged with visitors and stakeholders from across the hydrogen sector. Discussions on RINA’s activities in the hydrogen field often provided an opportunity to introduce MARPOWER and present the project’s contribution to the development of innovative energy solutions for maritime transport. RINA Consulting leads MARPOWER’s assessment and exploitation activities, supporting the evaluation of the technology’s future deployment in maritime applications.
Hydrogen applications and maritime energy transition
Many of the discussions involved companies and stakeholders already active in energy transition initiatives, with particular interest in hydrogen applications for maritime transport, as well as safety, certification and the development of integrated solutions across the hydrogen value chain. The event also provided opportunities to exchange views with industrial and technological actors working on hydrogen-related solutions across different sectors.
According to Fiorella Valenti, Innovation for Power Generation and Hydrogen Junior Project Manager at RINA Consulting and member of the MARPOWER project team:
“Hydrogen Expo offered an excellent opportunity to engage with stakeholders from across the hydrogen sector. Many of the discussions focused on hydrogen applications for maritime transport, as well as topics related to safety, certification and integrated solutions along the value chain. The event also provided a valuable opportunity to present MARPOWER and exchange views with organisations active in the energy transition”.
Funded by the European Union, MARPOWER is developing a hydrogen-ready energy conversion system for maritime transport that combines fuel flexibility, waste heat recovery and digital modelling technologies. By supporting the use of multiple sustainable fuels and advancing more efficient and resilient onboard energy conversion solutions, the project contributes to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
MARPOWER brings together a multidisciplinary European consortium coordinated by LUT University, alongside Politecnico di Milano, the German Aerospace Center (DLR)(the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the University of Vigo, Aurelia Technologies, Alfa Laval, RINA Consulting, RINA Services, Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Zabala Innovation. Through this collaborative effort, the project integrates expertise from research, industry and maritime stakeholders to advance innovative energy solutions for more sustainable shipping.