Sustainable Lobster Fishing powered by locally produced NH3

Presented by Rick Krementz

Racketash Sustainable Energy

207-956-0007rkrementz@mba1984.hbs.edu

The Challenge

Offshore island communities

Very sensitive to small changes

Highly energy dependent

Single avocation – lobstering

High costs of food, energy, transportation

The Present Situation

Seriously impacted by high petroleum prices in 2008

Seriously impacted by dropping demand in 2008 – present: less demand and lower prices

High bait prices compounded problem

Future Concerns

“Out of sight” fishermen have no political voice

Future access to petroleum is likely to be much more politically dependent

Priority users will be military, public service, medical professionals, truckers, farmers, distribution, etc.

Remote fisherman of “luxury” product likely to be “last on list”

A Solution

Create sustainable energy solution for offshore islands Matinicus and Criehaven

Prove viability of NH3 engines “Green” solution will allow branding of lobster

for higher profits to locals

How do we generate our own energy resource?

Islanders strongly prefer self-reliance Very strong wind resource (Zone 6)

Islanders spend about $2 million/year on energy, or $40 million over next 2 decades

DoE Maine Wind Map

Red is an “outstanding” wind resource

Black dot outside of red area is Criehaven and Matinicus

The Plan

Install in-water wind turbines (5 MW capacity)

Produce electricity, mostly for NH3 production

Use NH3 as fuel for lobster boats

Use NH3 for generators when wind is weak

What is NH3?

NH3 (anhydrous ammonia):

Is gas at regular conditions

Liquifies at 130 psi (similar to propane)

Non-flammable per DoT

Essentially non-explosive at STP

Non-toxic, but intensely caustic

What is NH3 (p.2)

Gas is lighter than air

Combusts to nitrogen gas and water

Safer than petroleum fuel

2nd most produced chemical in the world

Energy density about half of gasoline

Higher energy density than liquid hydrogen

How to use as fuel

Easy to burn inefficiently

Was used in Belgium buses during WW2

The challenge is burning efficiently without pollution

Project is internal combustion engines

NH3 can be used in fuel cells, turbines

Various approaches to NH3 fuel

NH3 has very high ignition point

NH3 will not ignite in compression ignition engine without a combustion promoter (gasoline, diesel)

NH3 can be cracked into N2 and H2

NH3 can be emulsified with diesel

NH3 can be liquid injected

NH3 can be super/turbo charged as a gas injection

The Energy Picture

Total energy consumption is approximately 400,000 gal per year (Diesel equivalent)

10% used for electricity production

80% used for lobster boat fuel

10% miscellaneous (vehicles, cooking gas, tractors)(includes propane and gasoline)

High Risk Project

Haber Bosch not suitable for small wind

Solid State Ammonia Synthesis (SSAS) not ready yet

Engine designs not proven yet

Licensing for in-water turbines complex

Licensing storage for NH3 complex

Financing challenges, non-profit

Thank You

For more information contact

Rick Krementz

rkrementz@mba1984.hbs.edu

krementz.blogspot.com