Alternative Indigenous fuels produced in circular economy systems for use in island Ferry services in Ireland (AI-Ferry)

Project Description

Offshore island communities face unique challenges due to their geographic location and are highly reliant on the maritime sector for transportation purposes. The remote nature of these islands means that frequent and reliable access to the mainland is fundamental for all aspects of life, including healthcare, education, and employment. Currently, ferries that serve island communities are powered using fossil fuels. To ensure the sustainable future for these communities, more sustainable methods of short-distance maritime transport must be explored. The AI-Ferry project aims to address this challenge by exploring the potential to decarbonise the ferry routes that serve island communities. Electrifying these ferry services could place significant strain on rural electrical distribution networks. Diesel powered generators do not provide green fuel. AI-Ferry will assess potential for additional local renewable electricity systems to provide resilience to the local electricity grid, and also to generate indigenously produced renewable fuels (biomethane or hydrogen) to decarbonise these ferry services either in battery hybrid mode or as a sole fuel. Finally, multi-criteria decision analysis will be used to formulate stakeholder engagement in contrasting potential decarbonisation pathways, and identify the most promising pathways to reduce the environmental impact of transportation to and from Ireland’s offshore island communities.