Using Ammonia to Decarbonise Shipping
Did you know ammonia is a clean fuel? With all the bad press on nitrogen emissions, you’d be forgiven for associating ammonia and other nitrous chemicals with pollution. The company ZEM knows better, and created a fuel cell that converts ammonia into electricity and clean air. This technology could be a breakthrough in decarbonising one of the most carbon-emissive and hard to decarbonise sectors of the global industrial complex: shipping.
Product description
The DAFC GEN1 is a novel concept of fuel cell that is able to convert ammonia directly into electricity, water and nitrogen. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells convert the chemical energy in ammonia directly into electricity -bypassing the heat, mechanical losses, and nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions that come with combustion.Their size and power output make DAFC GEN1 modules an alternative to diesel generators. Ammonia can be used as a zero carbon emission fuel with a high gravimetric energy density. Because it can be stored in tanks and refuelled in any port, it is especially suitable for maritime transport.
Innovation Factsheet
DAFC GEN 1
5: technology validated
Green Transportation & Mobility
Problem
Shipping has surprisingly low emissions compared to other modes of transport, but because global trade relies so heavily on it, the shipping sector is known as one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Environmental regulations have in recent years improved air quality over busy shipping lanes, but there was an unintended side effect. Sulfur particles in ship exhausts used to reflect sunlight and help form cooling clouds. As sulfur pollution dropped, this cooling effect weakened, and average sea surface temperatures rose to a record level where it remained for the last two years [Copernicus]. The only way forward is to move away from fossil fuels entirely, but integrating solar, wind or battery power in the ships we have is difficult.
Solution
Clean fuels can be used to store solar power into a liquid that fits into existing ships and -more importantly- port infrastructure much more seamlessly. Green ammonia is such a fuel, its production only requires water and renewable energy. Blue ammonia however is already available in bulk, and can significantly reduce a ship’s emissions compared to low-sulfur diesel. Blue ammonia is similar to Brown ammonia, produced with the emission-heavy Haber-Bosh process, but mitigates these emissions through carbon capture and storage.
A quick aside; ammonia combustion would produce nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and unreacted ammonia (NH₃) increasing pollution and global warming. Ammonia fuel cells by contrast produce water (H₂O) and nitrogen (N₂). In the news, ‘nitrogen’ is used as a synonym for both ammonia and nitrogen oxides in the context of pollution, which is confusing because nitrogen is harmless; it makes up 78% of the air we breathe.
ZEM stands for Zero Emission Maritime, and their ammonia fuel cells can be retrofitted to existing ships to extend their life and support the International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to reduce GHG emissions by 2030 [IRENA, 2021].
Clean fuels can be used to store solar power into a liquid that fits into existing ships and -more importantly- port infrastructure much more seamlessly. Green ammonia is such a fuel, its production only requires water and renewable energy.
Impact
The Climate Impact Forecast shows that ZEM’s fuel cell system could reduce CO₂ emissions by 475Kt CO₂e, based on an installed capacity of 5.5 MW running for 15 years. This is similar to the positive climate impact of installing 140 wind turbines, or the carbon footprint of electricity for almost 200 000 EU households.
The CIF or Climate Impact Forecast enables ZEM to provide concrete data on the climate impact of its technologies. Their forecast, validated by an impartial impact expert, shows that the 2000kg of materials (stainless steel, zirconia, copper etc.) used per module have negligible emissions compared to the avoided diesel use.
In addition to climate change mitigation, this fuel system is quiet and clean, which translates into health benefits for the people on the ship and the ecosystems it passes through.
Validation details
Equivalents
The programme
The impact assessment work referred to above, was done as part of the Scottish Enterprise Product Carbon Savings Estimation programme. This initiative equips Scottish companies -working on impact innovations- with Impact Forecast tools and expert services to integrate impact insights in the innovation process.
“Participating in the Scottish Enterprise Product Carbon Impact Programme brought several key benefits to ZEM Fuel Systems. It helped us understand and measure the carbon footprint of our ammonia fuel cell system. I’d recommend the Scottish Enterprise Product Carbon Impact Programme to any company working on sustainable technologies, especially in industries like energy, manufacturing, or transport. If your goal is to measure and validate the environmental impact of your products, this programme is a great way to do that.
It’s also incredibly helpful for businesses looking to apply for grants or funding. The data you gain from the programme makes your applications much stronger, as you can show clear, third-party verified evidence of your carbon impact.”
About ZEM Fuel Systems Ltd
ZEM Fuel Systems Ltd is a Scottish start up that provides sustainable solutions for the maritime sector. Their vision is to drive the transition to a carbon-free future by developing innovative and sustainable energy solutions. The company focuses on creating technologies that reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental responsibility, particularly in sectors such as maritime, energy, and transportation.
Contact ZEM Fuel Systems Ltd
Decision-Makers in the Maritime sector can find more information on ZEM fuel systems at www.zemfuelsystems.com
Invest
Cleantech Investors can reach out to [email protected] for more information on financial and environmental returns.
Contact Scottish Enterprise
Scottish companies looking for support in assessing their positive climate impact can find out how to join the Product Carbon Savings Estimation programme at scottish-enterprise.com
Company Factsheet
| Name | ZEM Fuel Systems Ltd |
| Location | Dundee, Scotland |
| FTE | 8 |