Yahoo Finance Cruise ships look to replace diesel generators with green fuel cells
Cruise ships could switch from diesel-powered generators to greener “fuel cells” in a bid to cut carbon emissions.
The Government has backed a project by energy company Ceres to explore use of the technology at sea.
Shipping accounts for more than 2pc of global carbon emissions and is widely regarded as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise.
The electricity needed to power onboard systems such as heating, ventilation and waste processing, known as the “hotel load”, runs continuously at sea and in port.
Producing this electricity using diesel generators leads to the emission of CO2 and pollutants such as nitrous oxides and particulates, as well as noise pollution in port cities.
Fuel cells are regarded as a cleaner source of power because they can convert the chemical energy in fuels into electricity more efficiently by using a chemical process rather than through combustion.
While hydrogen fuel cells use pure hydrogen as fuel, Ceres’ solid oxide fuel cells can also use hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, methane and propane.
Ceres began as a spin-out from Imperial College 20 years ago and its fuel cell technology was initially employed in an attempt to develop a new combined heat and power boiler in partnership with British Gas.
However, the project was beset by delays and the firm now focuses on licensing its technology to global engineering players such as Bosch in Germany, Weichai in China and Doosan in South Korea.
Ceres has been listed on Aim since 2004 and is now worth more than £2.2bn, although its shares have had a rollercoaster ride over the past decade and have fallen 11pc since the start of the year.
Phil Caldwell, chief executive of Ceres, said: “Solid oxide fuel cells are one of the most promising clean energy technologies to support the decarbonisation of an industry that today accounts for over 2pc of global greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition involves a £23m investment by the Department for Transport alongside another further £10m from industry in 55 projects aiming to reduce emissions from the maritime sector.
