Environmental assessment of a hybrid ship electrification system integrating molten carbonate fuel cells, battery, and waste heat recovery

This study aims to analyse the integration of a hybrid system, including a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), battery and an organic Rankine cycle-based waste heat recovery system (WHRS) into marine power distribution through numerical simulations and environmental assessments using sensory data. It contributes to the literature by evaluating the environmental viability of a liquefied natural gas-powered MCFC system as an investment for maritime decarbonisation goals. The data collection was undertaken on a Kamsarmax bulk carrier. The environmental assessment examines the plant's upstream (well-to-tank) and operational (tank-to-wake) emissions. Results indicate that implementing LNG tanks and MCFC has required design modifications to accommodate additional volume and weight. The hybrid MCFC/Battery/WHRS configuration has significantly reduced the marine power distribution plant's equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2-Eq). Although methane (CH4) emissions have increased due to LNG usage, non-greenhouse gas emissions have decreased considerably. A rise in combined CH4 emissions from propulsion and electrification plants has been found. However, the hybrid system has achieved a considerable reduction in CO2-Eq. Keywords: Hybrid power system, fuel cell, maritime decarbonization, emissions, ship electrification