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Fuel cells in ships
Interesting read about vision of the future. 40% savings seems high numbers but are they really that impossible to reach. There is a lot of energy wasted on ships and for example I have participated on projects achieving about 25% savings in fuel consumption using systematic computer methods in design phase. So even though Dr Zabi's 40% are high numbers they could be reached especially if fuel cells delivering considerably higher efficiency than the normal internal combustion engine.
FUEL CELLS “LONG TERM SOLUTION FOR SHIPPING”
Thursday, 22 January 2009
FUEL cells will be a long term sustainable energy solution for ships but, for immediate fuel savings, reduced environmental impact and reduced operational costs, many options are available now for incorporation in new designs, according to Lloyd's Register.
Speaking at SMM Istanbul yesterday Zabi Bazari, Ship Energy Services Manager for Lloyd’s Register Marine Consultancy Services, said that energy savings as high as 40% can be achieved by incorporating new systems and approaches into the design of new ships. Looking ahead, he said that fuel cells could eventually become the main energy unit in commercial ships when low-carbon technologies and renewable sources of energy are firmly in place.
In his speech, Dr Zabi reviewed existing and potential technologies in two main categories: hull and propulsors; and engines and auxiliary machinery. To achieve a reduction in a ship’s hydrodynamic resistance, he advocated options such as optimised hull forms, latest foul release paints, the use of air cavity or air bubble systems, the use of sails for capturing wind and solar energies. He underlined how the energy lost in propulsors can be mitigated by the use of contra-rotating propellers, flow-wise integrated propeller-rudder systems and propeller boss cap fins as well as hull mounted fins upstream of propeller for streamlining flow at entry to propeller.
Dr Zabi identified the use of waste heat recovery systems, alternative fuels and electronic control common rail fuel injection system as the most effective and immediate means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions with existing engines. But he considered fuel cells as the most important and most likely long-term low and zero-carbon alternative. He brought the audience up to date with developments in fuel cell technologies and the likely timeline for practical shipboard application. He said that after a further three year period of research and development, we will see a period of adoption of fuel cell technology – primarily to gradually replace auxiliary power generation engines. But full replacement of existing engines/fuels combinations to fuel cell would not be likely for 20-30 years yet, he advised. He reviewed options for rotating machinery including high efficient electric motors and variable speed drives.
FUEL CELLS “LONG TERM SOLUTION FOR SHIPPING”
Thursday, 22 January 2009
FUEL cells will be a long term sustainable energy solution for ships but, for immediate fuel savings, reduced environmental impact and reduced operational costs, many options are available now for incorporation in new designs, according to Lloyd's Register.
Speaking at SMM Istanbul yesterday Zabi Bazari, Ship Energy Services Manager for Lloyd’s Register Marine Consultancy Services, said that energy savings as high as 40% can be achieved by incorporating new systems and approaches into the design of new ships. Looking ahead, he said that fuel cells could eventually become the main energy unit in commercial ships when low-carbon technologies and renewable sources of energy are firmly in place.
In his speech, Dr Zabi reviewed existing and potential technologies in two main categories: hull and propulsors; and engines and auxiliary machinery. To achieve a reduction in a ship’s hydrodynamic resistance, he advocated options such as optimised hull forms, latest foul release paints, the use of air cavity or air bubble systems, the use of sails for capturing wind and solar energies. He underlined how the energy lost in propulsors can be mitigated by the use of contra-rotating propellers, flow-wise integrated propeller-rudder systems and propeller boss cap fins as well as hull mounted fins upstream of propeller for streamlining flow at entry to propeller.
Dr Zabi identified the use of waste heat recovery systems, alternative fuels and electronic control common rail fuel injection system as the most effective and immediate means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions with existing engines. But he considered fuel cells as the most important and most likely long-term low and zero-carbon alternative. He brought the audience up to date with developments in fuel cell technologies and the likely timeline for practical shipboard application. He said that after a further three year period of research and development, we will see a period of adoption of fuel cell technology – primarily to gradually replace auxiliary power generation engines. But full replacement of existing engines/fuels combinations to fuel cell would not be likely for 20-30 years yet, he advised. He reviewed options for rotating machinery including high efficient electric motors and variable speed drives.
Views: 6
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Comment by Gissur Skarphedinsson on January 26, 2009 at 7:48pm -
Hi Kristinn
Funny that this comes up, I am working on project here in Canada to install fuel cells on board in cooperation with Manufactur of fuel cells and they have been installing them in all kind of trucks with savings from 30-60% average 40% and the emission reduction up to 100%
I have one question do you know of any boat where this has been installed and if this discussion is already with Lloyds is there any test results there you know of?
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Comment by Kristinn A. Aspelund on February 4, 2009 at 8:21pm -
Hi Gissur,
I've heard about fuel cells in Germany as Gommit blogged here earlier. Also I'm aware that the whale watching boat Elding here in Iceland has been or is being equiped with small hydrogen driven fuel cell. That is quite interesting project that I've been trying to follow from the sidelines.
What kind of vessel are you working on installing fuel cells in Canada?
Cheers,
Kristinn
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