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Potential of using battery-electric energy systems onboard ships sailing in Sweden
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Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
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en
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86+1
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The global paradigm for phasing out fossil fuels steers societal change and the development of new technologies. With ships transporting 80 % of all goods, sea-born vessels are vital for the globalized economy. Battery-driven ships have gained significant attention in recent years as a promising alternative to conventional ships, which mainly run on fossil fuels. Developments in technologies promise higher energy densities and have made batteries a viable option for small and medium sized vessels with suitable operational patterns.
This study investigates the potential of using battery electric storage to power ships operating in the Baltic Sea, categorized by ship type and size. Operational data is analysed from all the ships that had at least one stop in a Swedish port in 2019, consisting of 4 000 ships in different categories and sizes. Key obstacles for using fully battery driven ships are added weight, volume and charging capability. Generally, the battery-electrification of the transport sector requires significant increase in mineral extraction, renewable electricity production and electrical grid infra-structure.
This analysis estimates the energy consumption of each ship route and estimates the required battery capacity and charging power required.
The analysis reveals that 28% of the total number of passenger ships and 17% of cargo ships could be directly suitable for battery-electric power. The ships with highest potential of being fully battery powered are small sized passenger ferries and ropax vessels. The least feasible are tankers, container ships, bulk carriers, and general cargo ships. The electrical production increase in Sweden required to power all the feasible ships is less than one percent.