Enabling Low Carbon Transitions in the Maritime Sector-Integrating Green Ammonia
Author
Gandhi, Urja Kaushik
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-10-16
Pages
80
Abstract
EU sigter mod klimaneutralitet i 2050, men international skibsfart er fortsat afhængig af fossile brændsler og præget af et teknisk-institutionelt carbon lock-in. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan en lavkarbontransition i skibsfarten kan muliggøres gennem integration af grøn ammoniak, både ved at afkarbonisere produktionskæden og ved at udvikle strategier for anvendelse i sektoren. Tilgangen omfatter litteraturstudie, en foreløbig vurdering af ammoniakbehov, udformning af teknologiske pathways samt en socio-økonomisk analyse af LCOE, LCOH og LCOA, suppleret af interessentkortlægning og regulatoriske overvejelser med afsæt i pathway theory og carbon lock-in. Analysen indikerer, at en LCOE på 27 €/MWh fra landvind og en LCOH på 5 €/kg via alkaliske elektrolyseceller kan give en LCOA på 344 ton/NH3 og dermed den mest socio-økonomisk levedygtige produktionsvej blandt de vurderede. Samtidig fremhæves centrale barrierer, herunder lavere energitætheder end traditionelle marine brændsler, som medfører højere enhedsomkostninger og risiko for forsinket udrulning. Derfor vurderes stærke markedsbaserede tiltag, herunder robust CO2-prissætning og målrettede subsidier ud over EU ETS, som nødvendige for at bryde lock-in og fremskynde transitionen.
The European Union aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, yet international shipping remains dependent on fossil fuels and subject to a techno-institutional carbon lock-in. This thesis examines how a low-carbon transition in shipping can be enabled by integrating green ammonia, addressing both decarbonization of the ammonia production chain and strategies for deployment in the maritime sector. The approach combines a literature review, a preliminary ammonia demand assessment, the design of technological pathways, and a socio-economic analysis of LCOE, LCOH, and LCOA, complemented by stakeholder mapping and regulatory considerations grounded in pathway theory and the carbon lock-in concept. The analysis indicates that an LCOE of 27 €/MWh from onshore wind and an LCOH of 5 €/kg via alkaline electrolysis can yield an LCOA of 344 ton/NH3, providing the most socio-economically viable production pathway among those assessed. It also highlights key barriers, including lower energy density compared with conventional marine fuels, which raises unit costs and risks delaying adoption. Consequently, strong market-based measures—such as robust carbon pricing and targeted subsidies in addition to the EU ETS—are deemed necessary to overcome lock-in and accelerate the transition.
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