Electrochemical Performance Evaluation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells in Ship Motion Using Multiphysics Simulation

Abstract

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s 'Climate Change 2023' report, the average global temperature is projected to increase by more than 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels by 2040. To mitigate global warming, a shift to eco-friendly fuels across all sectors is essential, moving away from conventional fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that marine transportation via ships accounted for 2.6% (840 million tons) of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2016. In pursuit of zero emissions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented restrictions on ship fuel’s sulfur content starting in 2020. Furthermore, the '2023 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy' aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, recognizing the urgency of global warming. In response, South Korea has developed a plan to increase the adoption of eco-friendly ships, including hybrid-fueled vessels using LNG/LPG and ships powered by hydrogen or ammonia fuel cells. Among these, hydrogen fuel cells, which emit no harmful substances during use, are the most efficient propulsion systems. Therefore, ships powered by hydrogen fuel cells hold the greatest potential for realizing eco-friendly marine transportation [1,2].