MEETING REPORT
by J.Kokarakis
Following Antonis Trakakis’ presentation on “LNG as Fuel: An Answer or A Question?” in November, the Greek Section of SNAME held its fourth meeting for the 2018-2019 season on 20 December at the Angelicoussis Group Auditorium. Speaker of the event was Panos Zachariadis, Technical Director at Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Ltd. The title of his presentation was “Alternative Fuels for GHG reduction and 2020 Compliance: Myths and Realities”.
In his thorough presentation, the speaker examined the opportunities, the technical and operational problems and the real greenhouse footprint of various promising alternative fuels for marine use, such as LNG, Hydrogen, Methanol, Ammonia, LPG and bio-fuels and various alternative forms of propulsion such as fuel cells and batteries. The speaker presented in detail within the time allocated, how these fuels are produced and what the environmental consequences are. He went further to compare them to conventional liquid fuels such as HFO and MDO, from an environmental point of view. He further suggested actions necessary in order to materialize the GHG reduction and subsequent mitigation of global warming.
His presentation was followed by a lively discussion, triggered by a video clip presented on the impact of natural gas leaks on the permafrost. Methane release from the ground is the release of methane from seas and soils in the permafrost regions of Arctic and Antarctic. While a long-term natural process, it is exacerbated by global warming, providing one more reason to mitigate the release of GHG in the atmosphere. Topics discussed were also the utilization of renewable sources of energy with focus on wind-assisted-propulsion as well as on the care needed to limit the detrimental effects of release of unburnt methane also known as “methane slip”.
The event was concluded with the traditional reception which took place at the restaurant of Angelicoussis building in a festive mood in light of the upcoming holidays.
The presentation can be found here.