A Northern Ireland-led project is reportedly developing a solution in the global maritime sector to make net zero shipping corridors a reality.
According to reports, Maritime Power-to-X, an industry consortium led by Larne-based B9 Energy Storage is exploring in a project how fully scalable green methanol can be used as a zero-emission fuel for the global maritime industry. A patent pending tech solution developed by B9 Energy Storage will allow freight ferries to be powered by scalable green methanol with a carbon capture loop.
As stated in the reports, the fuel would be synthesised at the Port of Larne from green hydrogen generated from otherwise curtailed wind power, and CO2 captured onboard the ferry. Furthermore, this CO2 would be returned to the port in the same containers that delivered the methanol setting up a circular economy that avoids future supply constraint of green CO2. Since its initial launch in February, the project team has presented its initial research and findings at global conferences.
The project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
After the Smart Maritime Network’s annual conference in Copenhagen this month, David Surplus OBE, managing director, B9 Energy Storage talked about the project.
Green methanol has the power to transform global shipping. Maritime Power-to-X is the most unique project of its kind in the world – using green hydrogen from excess wind power and captured carbon to create scalable green methanol to power freight ferries.
…said David Surplus.
Based on the reports, B9 Energy Storage has appointed global infrastructure consultancy AECOM as technical advisor and its team is delivering planning, policy and environmental services to support the scheme, as well as outline designs for landside infrastructure. Partners on the project include B9 Energy Storage, Teesside University Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, DFDS Seaways, DFDS Logistics, JG Maritime Solutions, Larne Harbour and Mutual Energy.
