Fuel cells for shipping: To meet on-board auxiliary demand and reduce emissions

The reduction of harmful emissions from the international shipping sector is necessary. On-board energy demand can be categorised as either: propulsion, or auxiliary services. Auxiliary services contribute a significant proportion demand, with major loads including: compressors, pumps, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning). Typically, this met using same fuel source main propulsion (i.e. fossil fuels). This study has analysed whether large scale ships could feasibly reduced by meeting installing hydrogen cell, data an LNG tanker to develop case study. Simulations have shown that for capacity 10 x 40ft containers compressed hydrogen, optimal cell size would 3 MW save 10600 MWh use, equivalent 2343 t CO2. Hence potentially decarbonise demand. Although there are some notable technical commercial considerations, such lifetime capital expenditure requirements. Results imply if managed avoid peaks in further increase effectiveness concept.