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Decarbonizing maritime power systems with hydrogen and ammonia integration

Abstract

The shipping industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with global efforts aiming for net-zero by 2050. Achieving the targets requires a shift toward alternative fuels, with hydrogen (H2) and ammonia (NH3) emerging as promising candidates.

This study evaluates the integration of hydrogen and ammonia into maritime power systems, considering efficiency, fuel requirements, and CO2 reduction potential. It employs the FEEMS modeling framework, specifically designed for marine power and propulsion systems, to assess the performance of hydrogen- and ammonia-based machinery under realistic, time-varying operational conditions. By analyzing logged data over a 280-day period, the model achieves over 95% accuracy in predicting fuel consumption. The study examines how different fuel types and power system configurations affect efficiency, emissions, and overall feasibility. While PEMFC and SOFC enable near-zero emissions, 4-stroke engines remain relevant in the transition, providing a practical pathway toward decarbonization in the near term. The findings also highlight the critical importance of sourcing green hydrogen and ammonia, as fossil-based alternatives could lead to higher GHG emissions than conventional fuels.

Category

Academic lecture

Client

  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 333118

Language

English

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Ocean / Energi og transport

Presented at

CIMAC 2025

Place

Zurich, Switzerland

Date

19.05.2025 - 24.05.2025

Organizer

CIMAC

Year

2025

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