PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The maritime sector accounts for 13.5% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions (EEA, 2020). To foster the decarbonisation in the maritime sector, the International Maritime Organisation set a target of cutting GHG emissions by 50% by 2050 and the manufacture of zero-emission ships by 2100. Decarbonisation will also help reduce CO, NOX, SOX, PM, BC and HC pollution.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE OCEAN project aims to demonstrate the viability of replacing diesel generators used for the internal energy needs of the Sanlorenzo superyacht with a 60 kWe microbial fuel cell (mFC) system. It will install a prototype clean energy system whereby a methanol reformer produces hydrogen that feeds a PEM fuel cell. The mFC system will be more efficient than traditional diesel generators, leading to significant reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants, as well as noise pollution on board and underwater. The project will thus demonstrate a zero-carbon technology based on green methanol whose production is growing internationally.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Improvement of air quality;
- Reduction of greenhouse gases emissions by more than 80%;
- Increased capacity of green methanol production by increasing demand by more than 14 620 tonnes annually;
- Up to a 25% increase in the primary energy efficiency of superyachts of more than 40m in length;
- Elimination of on-board noise due to the auxiliary power units;
- Elimination of harmful pollutants emitted by maritime generators;
- Scaling up of prototype ahead of commercialisation after the project end; and
- Raised awareness that will drive behavioural change in the maritime sector.
LIFE OCEAN contributes to a range of EU policy areas including renewable energy, energy efficiency, transport, greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting, and behavioural change. The maritime sector is not yet covered by the EU Emission Trading System (ETS), but a revised proposal to include shipping is currently under discussion.
