Potentials and limitations of battery-electric container ship propulsion systems

verfasst von
Lukas Kistner, Astrid Bensmann, Richard Hanke-Rauschenbach
Abstract

The defossilization of the open-sea ship traffic can most definitely only be achieved with alternative energy carriers. Besides synthetic fuels, battery-electric propulsion is a much-discussed measure, especially for smaller vessels and short passages. However, there is no consensus on quantitative ship characteristics that would allow for the application of batteries instead of a fuel-based solution. Therefore, limitations of battery propulsion systems are assessed for 45 vessels with a range of transport capacities. The most common marine battery technologies are evaluated both economically and environmentally by directly comparing their performances with state-of-the-art combustion engines. Mass and volume limitations of the ship are monitored, and emerging opportunity costs are quantified in addition to capital and operating expenses. The application of battery-electric propulsion systems is found not to be limited by the vessel size but mostly by the operated passage length. While distances of up to 15,000 km are technically achievable, economic limitations are effectively reducing the area of application to a maximum of 10,000 km. However, when comparing battery solutions with conventional diesel combustion engines, economic competitiveness is only observed for passages of up to 2,500 km when including a carbon tax and forecasting optimistic battery developments.

Organisationseinheit(en)
Institut für Elektrische Energiesysteme
Fachgebiet Elektrische Energiespeichersysteme
Typ
Artikel
Journal
Energy Conversion and Management: X
Band
21
Publikationsdatum
01.2024
Publikationsstatus
Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Erneuerbare Energien, Nachhaltigkeit und Umwelt, Kernenergie und Kernkraftwerkstechnik, Feuerungstechnik, Energieanlagenbau und Kraftwerkstechnik
Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung
SDG 7 – Erschwingliche und saubere Energie, SDG 14 – Lebensraum Wasser
Elektronische Version(en)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2023.100507 (Zugang: Offen)