11 Apr 2023

WEBINAR: Alternative fuels: The benefits and risks

IMarEST TV recording by the South East England & London Home Counties Branch on the 18th January 2023. This webinar was presented by Julius Partridge and Asanga Abeyratne of ABL.

In order to meet the IMO’s emissions reduction targets, the marine industry needs to revolutionise its approach to powering vessels. Significant work is being conducted in the field of alternative fuels, with several fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol being touted as potential options for low-carbon propulsion. This presentation addresses the performance characteristics of these fuels, the technologies for their use and the risks associated with them.

The use of these fuels through more traditional ICEs and emerging fuel cell technologies are explored to give an insight into how these fuels may be used to provide a vessel’s power demands. The risks for each of these fuels are considered in terms of bunkering, storage and operation. This was conducted from the perspective of the vessel’s crew and port operation personnel to determine the risk matrix associated with each of the three fuels.

About the Speakers

Julius Partridge is a Senior Electrical Engineer at ABL in the DP and Critical Systems Team. He has experience in the design of diesel-electric battery hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell battery hybrid vessels as well as the concept design of a green hydrogen production barge. Prior to joining ABL, Julius received his EngD from UCL and worked as a post-doctoral researcher focusing on fuel cell and supercapacitor hybrid power systems.

Asanga Abeyratne is a Senior Marine Engineer with ABL in the DP and Critical Systems Team. He has 20 years of seagoing experience as a Marine Engineer, 10 years of which were as a Chief Engineer on mega container carriers, including Evergreen, Yang Ming, and ONE. He completed his MSc in Marine & Offshore Engineering from Liverpool John Moores University, where his research project included a safety analysis on the bunkering, storage and operation of alternate fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia & methanol.

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