{"id":5800,"date":"2024-07-12T12:37:58","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T10:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nyheter.ntnu.no\/?p=5800"},"modified":"2024-07-13T21:50:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T19:50:22","slug":"the-race-is-on-to-make-the-shipping-sector-fossil-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nyheter.ntnu.no\/en\/the-race-is-on-to-make-the-shipping-sector-fossil-free\/","title":{"rendered":"The race is on to make the shipping sector fossil-free"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The sprint is underway with, among other things, the Horizon Europe project FLEXSHIP, in which NTNU takes part as an academic partner and vessel owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project will contribute towards the transition to zero-emission shipping by developing flexible electric propulsion technologies and battery systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two case vessels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Portrait
Mehdi Zadeh with the FLEXSHIP team inside of Gunnerus. Photo: Kai T. Dragland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“FLEXSHIP aims to demonstrate that batteries are a feasible solution to power various types of vessels. It introduces a range of innovations, ensuring modularity and flexibility in battery system design, electric powertrain, and control systems,\u201d says Mehdi Zadeh<\/a>, professor at the Department of Marine Technology and leader of the vessel electrification work package in FLEXSHIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitalization teams up with electrification for enhanced design and operation, thanks to FLEXSHIP\u2019s Green Digital Twin concept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digital twin converts the physical vessel orientation into a digital orientation allowing the development and verification of the power system and controllers, in a so-called model-based design framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe project\u2019s innovation will reach a significant milestone by testing and demonstration of all the developed solutions onboard two use case vessels, including NTNU\u2019s Research Vessel Gunnerus,” says Mehdi Zadeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world’s shipping industry must make drastic reductions in emissions before 2030 if the global sustainability goals are to be met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electrifying new and existing ships <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Inspection
The FLEXSHIP team on a tour to inspect NTNU’s research vessel’s engine room. Photo: Kai T. Dragland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Electrification aims to transform the energy conversion paradigm, promoting a clean and quiet sail with enhanced efficiency, turning electricity into actions that \u2018speak loader than noise,\u2019 whether in the machine room or under water,\u201d says Zadeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While batteries are not the only solution for decarbonization, electrification and hybridization significantly reduce fuel consumptions and emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One immediate issue with battery-driven electromobility is the range on some highway. Far out at sea, range issues become significantly more serious and consequential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFLEXSHIP\u2019s battery system for marine applications will be lighter than its predecessors, allowing for extended range,\u201d says Zadeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More ambitious goals set last year<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The captain of NTNU’s research vessel Gunnerus’ before a tour with the Flexship team in Gunnerus. Photo: Kai T. Dragland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The project has 16 partners from nine countries, including DNV and NTNU, and has a total budget of more than 9 million Euro for the duration of four years.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Shipping accounts for about 3 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emits 944 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, according to the latest EU report on CO2<\/sub> emissions in the maritime transport sector. Although, at the same time, it is one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport,” says Zadeh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zero emissions by 2050<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last year the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is the UN body for the regulation of shipping, adopted a new GHG Strategy to reduce CO2<\/sub> emissions per transport work by at least 40 percent by 2030 – with reference to the 2008 level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 2023 IMO GHG Strategy also expects the uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, and finally the GHG emissions from international shipping to reach net zero by 2050,\u201d says Mehdi Zadeh.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A general assembly of FLEXSHIP was held in Trondheim the first week of July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Flexship project<\/h2>\n\n\t\t
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