{"id":25691,"date":"2021-06-12T06:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-12T06:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=25691"},"modified":"2021-06-13T10:41:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-13T10:41:45","slug":"shipping-is-tough-on-the-climate-and-hard-to-clean-up-these-innovations-can-help-cut-emissions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/shipping-is-tough-on-the-climate-and-hard-to-clean-up-these-innovations-can-help-cut-emissions\/","title":{"rendered":"Shipping is tough on the climate and hard to clean up \u2013 these innovations can help cut emissions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jing Sun<\/a>, University of Michigan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ships carry more than 80%<\/a> of world trade, and they rely heavily on some of the least environmentally friendly<\/a> transportation fuels available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are no cheap, widely available solutions that can lower the shipping industry\u2019s planet-warming carbon emissions \u2013 in fact, shipping is considered one of the hardest industries on the planet to decarbonize \u2013 but some exciting innovations are being tested right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a professor of naval architecture and marine engineering<\/a>, I work on ship propulsion and control systems, including electrification, batteries and fuel cells. With attention focused on climate change this week as world leaders meet at the G-7 summit and negotiators discuss shipping emissions at a meeting of the U.N.\u2018s International Maritime Organization<\/a>, let\u2019s take a look at what\u2019s possible and some of the fuels and technologies that are likely to define the industry\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping\u2019s climate problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shipping is the cheapest way to move raw materials and bulk goods<\/a>. That has given it both an enormous economic impact and a large carbon footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The industry emits roughly 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year<\/a> \u2013 nearly 3% of global emissions, according to the IMO, a specialized U.N. agency made up of 174 member nations that sets standards for the industry. If shipping were a country, it would rank between Japan and Germany as the sixth-largest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, nearly 70% of ships\u2019 emissions occur within 250 miles (400 kilometers) of land, meaning it also has an impact on air quality, especially for port cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/7iZZm\/1\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Technological innovation, in addition to policies, will be crucial for achieving low-carbon or zero-emission shipping. Academic research institutes, government labs and companies are now experimenting with electrification; zero- or low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, ammonia and biofuels; and alternative power sources such as fuel cells and solar, wind and wave power. Each has its pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why electrifying ships matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just as on land, electrification is one key to cleaning up the industry\u2019s emissions. It allows engines operating on fossil fuels to be either replaced by alternative power generation technologies, or downsized and modified for low-emissions operation. It also allows ships to connect to electric power while in port<\/a>, reducing their emissions from idling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ship electrification and hybridization are significant trends for both commercial and military vessels<\/a>. Electrifying a ship means replacing its traditional mechanical systems with electrical ones. Some fleets have already electrified propulsion and cargo handling. Hybrid power systems, on the other hand, integrate different power-generation mechanisms, such as engines and batteries, to leverage their complementary characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I see deeper electrification and broader hybridization as a core strategy for achieving green shipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cranes
Ships that can connect to electric power in port can cavoid burning fuel that produces greenhouse gases and pollution. Ernesto Vel\u00e1zquez\/Unsplash<\/a>, CC BY<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tremendous opportunities also exist for improving the operation of the existing fleet \u2013 and reducing fuel use \u2013 through automation and real-time control. Advanced sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning can help ships to \u201csee,\u201d \u201cthink,\u201d and \u201cact\u201d better to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greener fuels for ocean voyages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shifting to cleaner and greener fuel sources will be essential for decarbonizing the shipping industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the power plants on today\u2019s ships are based on internal combustion engines that use cheap heavy fuel oil. Innovations in marine diesel and gas turbine engine design and treatment of exhaust gas have lowered harmful emissions. However, most of the \u201clow-hanging fruit\u201d has been harvested, with little room left for dramatic improvement in traditional power sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The focus now is on developing cleaner fuel sources and more efficient alternative power generation technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low or zero-carbon fuels, such as natural gas, ammonia and hydrogen, are predicted to be the dominant energy sources for shipping in the future. Ammonia<\/a> is easy to transport and store, and it can be used in internal combustion engines and high-temperature fuel cells. But like hydrogen<\/a>, it is largely still made with fossil fuels. It\u2019s also toxic. Both have the potential to be made with water and renewable energy using electrolysis, but that zero-carbon technology is still in the early stages and costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These fuels have started replacing heavy diesel fuels in some marine segments, primarily as demonstration projects<\/a> and at a slower rate than needed. Cost and infrastructure remain major barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renewable energy sources<\/a>, such as wind<\/a>, solar<\/a> and wave energy, are also promising. Integrating renewable sources as cost-effective and reliable energy solutions for oceangoing vessels is another challenge developers are working on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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