Posted on June 17, 2021
In the final instalment of the first series of the Commercial Marine Network’s Workboat 2050 decarbonisation webinars, our speakers were forging slightly different paths to the common goal of zero emission workboat operations.
Over the duration of the 5 webinars, an audience of over 2000 registered in total, and our speakers covered a wide range of practical subjects, from early wins that can be made from drop in bio-sourced diesel fuels to full zero emission workboat operations with hydrogen fuel cell or fully electric solutions.
ELECTRIC TUG
It was the latter that our 5th episode was tackling, with Cansu Tuncer, Business Development Manager, Navtek Naval Technologies Inc., kicking off proceedings with an introduction to Navtek’s Zeetug project. For followers of marine electrification, Zeetug will need little introduction, as it is the World’s first zero emission all electric, rechargeable harbour tug. It was delivered early in 2020, and has now been working cleanly and effectively in Turkish waters for 14 months.
While Cancu was quick to point out that all electrification projects are unique, and that ‘off the shelf’ solutions are unlikely any time soon, she did point out that the technology, broadly speaking would be adaptable for many short journey vessels.
What came across in the presentation was there’s a lot more to it than just the vessel motors and batteries. Navtek has also invested significantly in its Quick Charging Station, and STEMS, it’s Smart Tug Energy Management System.
HYDROGEN ROUTE
Willem Van Der Wel, Managing Director, Windcat Workboats BV, described Windcat’s industry-leading investment in Hydrogen-powered offshore wind crew transfer project. A zero emission H2 powered catamaran CTV is in build as we speak, due for completion later this year, but that is one vessel within a large fleet, and other vessels will be making more pedestrian progress towards the zero emissions goal.
Like all our speakers, Willem was quick to point out that going straight from where we currently are to zero emission operations in one step is neither practical not desirable. Windcat are looking at a three stage process. Firstly a dual fuel (diesel and hydrogen) technology to reduce emissions by around 60%, then hydrogen only as an internal combustion fuel, for a 98% emissions reduction, compared with current full diesel operation. Finally Willem suggested hydrogen, being used via an onboard fuel cell to power motors, as the full zero emission solution, but one that would require some further technical improvements to make it fully feasible. CMB, Windcat’s parent company, is working on the dual fuel engines now, and these potentially have the ‘quick win’ benefit of retrofitting into the existing diesel powered fleet.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Any true zero emission workboat operations solution of course depends very heavily on the port infrastructure to support it, and Windcat’s first hydrogen vessel will require a road tanker that CMB has also developed to refuel it, at least for its first few years of operation.
Tying the first two strands together, Stuart Barnes, Regional Partnership Manager, The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult presented ORE Catapult’s recently published paper ‘Decarbonising Maritime Operations In North Sea Offshore Wind O&M’.
ORE Catapult has conducted a detailed consultation within the industry to try to work out what risks and barriers are stopping operators taking the plunge into early adoption of decarbonisation technologies. The conclusions make interesting reading, varying from the obvious (high CAPEX costs, doubts over which technology to back), to the less so. Who knew, for example, that operators want clearer regulation, targets and deadlines in this area? It seems that having some kind of timeline on what needs to be done, by whom and by when, actually makes the job easier.
ORE Catapult are pushing strongly towards technology demonstrations at port scale. Grimsby has been identified as first choice location, as the World’s largest O&M port for offshore renewables. A project here could demonstrate and evaluate key technologies such as onshore and offshore hydrogen production and storage, and offshore electrical charging.
The panel discussion covered matters such as the viability of standardisation in electrification of vessels, the development of rule sets for emerging technologies, and potential future finance options to reduce vessel CAPEX, and the video of the full proceedings will be available shortly here.
Reinforcing the fact that decarbonisation is a subject that isn’t going away, webinar Moderator Andy Page was pleased to announce that the next series in the Commercial Marine Network’s Decarbonisation webinars will commence on Day 1 of Seawork Connect, 5th October 10:30 – 11:30. Webinar: Get Set for Workboat 2050 Series 2 Session 1 by Mercator Media (bigmarker.com)
