Thesis
Advancement of life cycle assessment policy framework on marine fuels towards decarbonisation of the shipping sector
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2024
- Thesis identifier
- T16891
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202053650
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- In response to the urgent need for decarbonization in international shipping, theInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) is developing a life cycle assessment(LCA) framework for marine fuels to encourage the adoption of cleaner alternatives.This thesis critically examines LCA's role in maritime decarbonization, stressingthe need for a sophisticated LCA policy framework. It identifies gaps in currentpolicies and methodologies, emphasizing a harmonized LCA approach forconsistent GHG emissions data. An advanced LCA policy tailored for shipping decarbonization is developed and validated through case studies: 1) harmonization within the LCA regulatory framework, 2) determining life cycle GHG emissions of fossil marine fuels in energy-importing countries, 3) developing a prospective LCA framework for hydrogen-based e-fuels, and 4) formulating a GHG emissions accounting framework for sustainable marine fuel and onboard carbon capture.The first study reveals gaps in current policies and LCA methodologies related toGHG reduction from marine fuels, underscoring the need for unified LCA frameworks. The second study shows that Well-to-Wake emission values and GHGperformance evaluation are influenced by factors such as propulsion systems andthe quantity of transported energy. The third case study on hydrogen-based e-fueldemonstrates the prospective LCA framework's effectiveness in predictinginternational shipping's GHG emissions alignment with existing targets. It exploressustainable fuel pathways, examining potential contributions towards meetingGHG reduction targets. The last case study presents a GHG emission accountingframework for sustainable marine fuel and onboard carbon capture, enhancingemission precision. Conclusions emphasize the necessity of a unified LCA framework for shipping, the significant contribution of the prospective LCA framework, and the need for international collaboration. Validated through case studies, the framework challenges current rules for future regulatory frameworks, providing insights for refining global LCA frameworks and urging a systematic approach to reduce GHG emissions in the maritime sector.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Jeong, Byongug
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
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PDF of thesis T16891 | 2024-04-23 | Public | Download |