#64 Decarbonizing Shipping and Maritime Transport (with David Emberson, NTNU)
Mar 7, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, David Emberson, an associate professor at NTNU's Department of Marine Technology, sheds light on the pressing need to decarbonize the shipping industry. He explores the challenges of relying on fossil fuels and presents innovative alternatives like LNG, ammonia, and methanol. Notably, David highlights ammonia's potential as a sustainable marine fuel despite its combustion issues. The conversation also covers the importance of port infrastructure and collaborative efforts in pioneering new propulsion technologies to achieve a sustainable maritime future.
The shipping industry, which accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is facing urgent challenges in transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives like ammonia and methanol.
Ammonia is highlighted as a viable marine fuel due to its efficient hydrogen storage capabilities and existing production infrastructure, despite concerns regarding toxicity and combustion efficiency.
Integrating emerging technologies, such as fuel cells and wind assistance, requires collaborative efforts and customized strategies for different vessel types to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Deep dives
Decarbonizing the Maritime Sector
Shipping and maritime transport contribute approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for decarbonization in this sector to meet overall emission reduction goals. Currently, most vessels rely on crude oil, but there are promising developments in alternative fuels such as ammonia and even the potential return of sail power to reduce emissions. While transitioning to cleaner alternatives is challenging, opportunities exist that could lead to successful decarbonization of the maritime sector. Awareness and active engagement in low-carbon projects among future decision-makers are essential to accelerate this process.
Challenges within the Shipping Industry
The shipping sector is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, especially with a wide variety of vessel types and functionalities, making a universal solution for decarbonization unlikely. Heavy fuel oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are commonly used; while LNG is seen as a cleaner alternative, it is still fossil-based and presents issues such as methane slip. Each type of vessel, from ferries to cargo ships, has distinct operational characteristics that complicate the transition to alternative fuels. This diversity necessitates customized strategies for each segment of the maritime industry, as generic solutions may not suffice.
The Role of Alternative Fuels
Ammonia has been identified as a promising hydrogen vector for maritime fuel, thanks to its moderate storage and transport requirements compared to hydrogen. While ammonia can be used directly in combustion engines or converted back to hydrogen in fuel cells, concerns regarding its toxicity must also be addressed. The industry is currently exploring ammonia production plants worldwide, with investments indicating a growing confidence in this fuel's potential. Other alternatives, such as methanol and LNG, populate the landscape, but ammonia may lead the charge due to its existing infrastructure for storage and transport.
Innovative Technologies for Future Shipping
The integration of technologies such as fuel cells and wind-assisted propulsion systems presents multifaceted opportunities for improving energy efficiency in shipping. While fuel cells convert chemical energy into electrical power, their application in maritime vessels requires further research to determine the viability of using ammonia or hydrogen directly. Meanwhile, wind-assisted technologies, like advanced sails, are being developed to optimize fuel efficiency and potentially reduce reliance on engines. A collaborative approach, incorporating digital twins and real-time data, can help design vessels that maximize the benefits of these innovations while optimizing energy consumption.
On-board Carbon Capture Solutions
Onboard carbon capture technology is being explored as a viable means to continue using fossil fuels while mitigating emissions in the maritime sector. Companies like Värtsilä are working on capturing carbon from exhaust systems, although the implementation requires significant engineering solutions due to factors like exhaust gas temperature and system complexity. While the potential to use captured CO2 in a sustainable manner exists, the infrastructure needed for effective deployment remains a critical issue. This research path could provide an attractive option for operators in a transitional phase, marrying existing technologies with innovative approaches to emissions reduction.
In this episode, we explore the decarbonization of the shipping sector with David Emberson, an associate professor at NTNU's Department of Marine Technology. David discusses his transition from PhD research in London to pioneering sustainable marine fuel research in Norway, highlighting the shipping industry's reliance on fossil fuels and the varied challenges across different vessel types.
The conversation dives into alternative fuels like LNG, ammonia, and methanol, alongside emerging technologies such as fuel cells, wind assistance, and onboard carbon capture. David emphasizes ammonia's potential as a viable marine fuel due to its efficient hydrogen storage and existing global production infrastructure, despite challenges like toxicity and combustion efficiency.
Furthermore, the episode touches on the complexities of integrating new propulsion technologies into maritime vessels and the critical need for port infrastructure development to support alternative fueling and carbon capture strategies.
Concluding with reflections on the urgency of collaborative efforts and decisive action towards shipping decarbonization, this episode underscores the innovation and global cooperation required to achieve a sustainable maritime future in the face of climate change challenges.
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