A synergistic multi-energy system for carbon-neutral container ships via green methanol-biomass hybridization(GMB-CCHP)

Abstract

The decarbonization of maritime transport demands innovative energy systems that reconcile operational efficiency with stringent emission regulations. This study presents GMB-CCHP (Green Methanol-Biomass Coupled CCHP System), a synergistic multi-energy framework designed for carbon-neutral container ships. The system integrates green methanol combustion, biomass boilers, solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and battery storage, governed by an intelligent energy management system (IEMS) for real-time power allocation. Through multi-objective optimization, the GMB-CCHP achieves remarkable adaptability across diverse operational scenarios. Under baseline navigation for a large container ship (comparable to a Maersk Triple-E class vessel), the system attains 85 % efficiency with 8800-ton carbon emissions and CNY 8.0678 million annual costs, prioritizing propulsion (60 % of 950 kW total load).Extreme conditions—high-temperature (20 % cooling load, 1100 kW) and low-temperature (15 % heating load, 1050 kW)—demonstrate resilience, maintaining 82–83 % efficiency while stabilizing costs.Crucially, optimal configurations (8 MW renewable capacity, 6.5 kton biomass fuel) yield peak efficiency (1147.32 %), which is significantly higher than that of conventional LNG/diesel systems, and minimal emissions (8.8 kton), outperforming conventional LNG/diesel systems by 23–31 % in carbon intensity. The IEMS-driven dynamic load balancing reduces energy waste by 15–26 % compared to static CCHP models, validating the system's capacity to harmonize cargo capacity expansion with emission constraints. By unifying lifecycle carbon reduction (37.2 % lower than IMO 2050 benchmarks) and economic viability (ROI <6.5 years), GMB-CCHP establishes a replicable paradigm for zero-emission shipping, advancing the industry's alignment with Paris Agreement targets.