Decarbonising Transport | Climate Trailblazers: Towards Net Zero

Summary

Transportation, a major contributor to global carbon emissions, is undergoing a race to decarbonize. With global transport activity set to double by 2050, the urgency for a green transition is paramount. Asia, the fastest-growing region, is at the forefront of this effort, exploring alternatives like hydrogen and ammonia for heavy-duty transport and maritime shipping. Singapore leads with projects like the MF Hydra, a hydrogen-powered ferry, and PSA's green port initiatives. The aviation sector also turns to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions, with Neste supplying SAF to Singapore Airlines. The push for a multi-fuel strategy and renewable energy is crucial for a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Transportation is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for nearly 30% of greenhouse gases.
• 🌍 If action isn't taken soon, the cost and difficulty of decarbonizing transport will increase, exacerbating the challenge.
• 📈 Asia, being the fastest-growing region, is racing to decarbonize alongside the global push towards renewable energy and emission reduction.
• 🚍 Heavy transportation is a particularly challenging sector for decarbonization, with electrification not being an obvious solution due to the weight and size of batteries required.
• 🚢 The maritime industry, responsible for nearly 3% of global carbon emissions, is exploring low carbon fuels like hydrogen.
• 💧 Hydrogen is being trialed for shipping with projects like the MF Hydra, a liquid hydrogen-powered vessel.
• 🌐 Singapore is leading its own hydrogen fuel project to convert a ferry to use hydrogen fuel cell technology.
• 🔋 The process of hydrogen fuel cells involves combining hydrogen with oxygen to produce water, with electricity generated in the process.
• 🏫 The National University of Singapore is establishing a center for hydrogen innovations to overcome deployment challenges.
• 🌿 'Green hydrogen,' produced with renewable energy, is key to decarbonizing the maritime industry.
• 🚢 Ammonia is considered a potential future fuel for marine transport, easier to store than hydrogen and with a high energy density.
• 🌳 Onshore decarbonization includes projects like the PSA's Twest Megaport in Singapore, aiming to be a smart and green port with reduced emissions.

Q & A

What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions does the transportation sector account for?

The transportation sector accounts for almost 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Why is it urgent to decarbonize transportation now?

Decarbonizing transportation is urgent because the sector's emissions are growing, and delaying action will make it more challenging and expensive to address. Additionally, the carbon budget to keep global warming within 1.5°C is running out.

Why is heavy transportation considered a 'hard to abate' sector?

Heavy transportation is considered a 'hard to abate' sector due to challenges with electrification, such as the size and weight of batteries needed to power heavy vehicles. Low-carbon fuels are being explored as an alternative.

What is the significance of the MF Hydra vessel in maritime decarbonization?

The MF Hydra is the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered vessel, marking a significant milestone in the use of hydrogen as a clean fuel for maritime transport.

What are the advantages of using ammonia as a marine fuel compared to hydrogen?

Ammonia has several advantages: it has a higher energy density, making it more efficient for storage, and can be stored at a higher temperature (-33°C) compared to hydrogen (-253°C). It also has a proven production pathway using green hydrogen.

What is Singapore's role in advancing the use of ammonia as a marine fuel?

Singapore plays a strategic role in advancing ammonia as a marine fuel through pilot projects and safety guideline development. Its dense population and busy port make it an ideal testbed for ammonia bunkering.

How is Singapore's Tuas Megaport contributing to decarbonization?

The Tuas Megaport reduces emissions by using automated electric vehicles instead of diesel prime movers, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 50%. The port is also transitioning to renewable electricity for its operations.

What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and how does it help decarbonize aviation?

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a biofuel that reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, helping decarbonize aviation.

What role does Neste play in the production of sustainable aviation fuel in Singapore?

Neste is stepping up production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and is set to make Singapore the world's largest producer of SAF, contributing 1 million tons to global capacity and supporting Asia-Pacific's emission reduction goals.

What is the key challenge in scaling up the use of green hydrogen?

The key challenge in scaling up green hydrogen is ensuring that it becomes cost-effective and that there is adequate infrastructure for hydrogen supply, so vehicles and industries can easily adopt it.