Life cycle analysis and cost assessment of a battery powered ferry

Battery-powered ships constitute a solution to the pathway to zero-emission shipping. This article studies comparatively and assesses the performance of battery-powered vessels implementing the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA). A case study of a battery-powered fast catamaran ferry is employed and comparatively assessed against the respective conventional ferry revealing the advantages and drawbacks of these two alternative solutions. LCA and LCCA take into account the different ship life phases and activities to develop a life cycle emission inventory and estimate the corresponding costs. The results demonstrate that the battery-powered system exhibits life cycle GHGs reduced about 30% when grid mix electricity in 2019 is utilised and life cycle costs reduced by 15% in comparison with a conventional power system.

Automated summary

Battery-powered ships offer a solution to zero-emission shipping, with a case study showing a 30% reduction in GHGs and a 15% decrease in costs compared to conventional power systems.