Eaton joins STEESMAT R&D project to launch a future of zero-emission ships

Date: April 18, 2025

Eaton joins STEESMAT R&D project to launch a future of zero-emission ships

• Eaton is collaborating with 11 expert partners on the EU-funded STEESMAT R&D project.
• Consortium will develop an efficient medium voltage direct current (MVDC) distribution system and facilitate the establishment of a standardized power architecture for future hybrid and electric vessels.
• Power distribution system will be integrated, tested, and validated onboard RV North Star—a former Norwegian Coast Guard vessel.

Bonn/ Aachen, Germany – Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced its participation in the STEESMAT R&D project. Spanning three and a half years and co-funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program, this ambitious project aims to develop and demonstrate a groundbreaking power distribution system for tomorrow’s hybrid and zero-emission ships.

Responsible for three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, maritime shipping is a key focus in the EU’s plan to achieve a 90% reduction in transport-related emissions by 2050. While alternative fuels can reduce emissions in the short to medium term, electrification is crucial for full decarbonization. To accelerate the transition from diesel to electricity, the STEESMAT project will develop an innovative power distribution architecture, as well as a smart management system to increase the efficiency of large ships—enabling vessels with up to 40% lower emissions, as well as superior control.

Led by Maritime CleanTech, the STEESMAT consortium unites 12 expert partners. Eaton in Germany and the Czech Republic joins Wärtsilä, Danfoss, Sustainable Energy, and The Switch as an industrial partner. Several universities, research institutions, and standards bodies are also contributing to the project, including Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, Fraunhofer ISIT, DNV, and the Open Direct Current Alliance.

Together, the partners will develop and validate an onboard power distribution system based on MVDC and low voltage direct current (LVDC) technologies that also enable increased integration of diverse energy generation and storage systems such as fuel cells and batteries. To assess the power distribution system’s readiness for commercial use in hybrid and fully electric ships, its performance will also be tested and validated under real-world conditions onboard the RV North Star—a former Norwegian Coast Guard vessel.

Eaton’s contribution, spearheaded by experts from Eaton Research Labs in Germany and the Czech Republic, includes manufacturing solid-state transformers for the power distribution system, as well as supporting the creation of key standards for reliable and scalable maritime DC grids. By delivering significant space and weight savings compared to conventional systems, the solid-state transformers will help reduce onboard power consumption and support lower emissions.

“If shipping were a country, its carbon footprint would be the sixth largest in the world,” comments Akshay Mahajan, lead engineer, Power Electronics, Eaton Research Labs. “As regulations tighten, it’s crucial for the maritime industry to embrace electrification—and we’re thrilled to be supporting the next-generation of zero-emission ships. Our work on this innovative power distribution system will help make vessels lighter, optimize their efficiency, and simplify the integration of varied renewable power sources for a future of green shipping.”

Following the official launch of the STEESMAT project on January 1, 2025, the R&D team will now begin development of foundational power electronics and other key components. Next year, the focus will shift to agreeing safety and standardization requirements in preparation for final system testing on the RV North Star.

About Eaton 

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.   

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact for journalists:
Nathalie Lapoirie
+41 78 727 89 66
NathalieLapoirie@Eaton.com