Evaluation study for an ammonia-fed and solid-oxide fuel cell powered trailing suction hopper dredger for Van Oord Offshore Contractors

Abstract

In the quest to meet the Paris agreement goals, the maritime industry is facing some serious challenges. To reduce the GHG emissions in the industry, many Zero-Emission technologies and clean fuels have been studied. United Nations’ International Maritime Organization has set the goal to reduce the industry’s emissions by 50% in 2050. To meet this goal every new-build ship should be emission free as of 2030. In partnership with Van Oord Offshore Contractors an evaluation study has been conducted to examine the possibility of a Zero-Emission Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger. For this evaluation study the possibility towards an Ammonia-fed and Solid-Oxide-Fuel-Cell powered hybrid Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) has been researched. This has been done through the analysis of the Power Demand behavior of an existing TSHD, a multi-criteria analysis concerning a hybrid power system, a retrofit design of a TSHD and a cost estimation study of the implementation of the researched technologies. It was found that the implementation of an Ammonia-fed and Solid-Oxide-Fuel-Cell will significantly decrease the autonomy of the TSHD by 80%. The decrease of autonomy comes together with an increase of cost of the new technology of almost 200%. The hourly fuel rate cost are expected to increase with roughly 300%. The CO2 reduction of the TSHD amounts 3,420 metric tonne on an hourly base. Implementing the Ammonia and SOFC’s in the TSHD will guarantee meeting emission reduction goals of the International Maritime Organization.