Institution news
For full details and to book your place, please visit the event website.
Please briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience with regards to marine engineering and decarbonisation
Alasdair Cairns (AC): I am the Director of the Powertrain Research Centre at the University of Nottingham and the university academic lead for hydrogen propulsion systems. I am currently leading several multi-million pound research infrastructure investments and research programmes on decarbonised marine engines and propulsion systems covering both retrofit and future designs operating of novel fuels including ammonia, methanol and hydrogen.
What is the top challenge facing your industry at present?
AC: Uncertainty over future total costs and associated policies and evolving regulations in the backdrop of Net Zero.
How would you say your industry has evolved over the past two years?
AC: The marine sector is now attracting considerable attention for decarbonisation, with several large research programmes funded within the UK to address the unknowns.
What developments are going on in your industry that may have an impact on the development of future approaches to decarbonisation?
AC: Examples of significant UK research activities around marine decarbonisation include the EPSRC Clean Maritime Research Hub, the EPSRC “MariNH3” programme grant on ammonia propulsion and the UK SHORE “CDMC” competition. All of these provide a strong platform for the UK to take a lead in decarbonised marine propulsion moving forward provided such funding continues to flow.
What will you be presenting at the IMechE: Marine Engineering seminar and how will this benefit participants?
AC: An overview on our propulsion research at Nottingham covering advanced fuels such as ammonia, engines and hybridised propulsion systems. Several different energy vectors and fuels are required for effective Net Zero across both global shipping and smaller marine applications where the UK has significant commercial activities.
Which other speakers and presentations are you looking forward to hearing at the forthcoming seminar?
AC: All of them, there is a good mix across the lineup that should provide excellent context.
Why is it important for engineers and industry to come together at this event and share best practice?
AC: The seminar provides a unique opportunity to get together for a more holistic understanding of the sector needs, ongoing UK activities and current stance around alternative fuels.
The Institution's Marine Engineering: Alternative Fuels for Decarbonisation seminar will take place on 25 June 2024 at the Southampton Football Club
Bringing together representatives from across the sector, including Transport & Environment, Lloyd's Register, BMT, Carnival Corporation and others, the seminar will discuss the challenges of meeting emissions targets and the progress made toward switching to hydrogen, methanol and ammonia for the future of low carbon propulsion.
For full details and to book your place, please visit the event website.