Additional Resources
Save and Share
Retrofit Success Stories
|
Marine Vessels
New York Harbor Private Ferry Emissions Reduction Program
New York Harbor Strong Arm Ferry Docker
Push Boat Engine Repowers in Texas
Private Ferry Emissions Reduction Program
Project Location:
New York City, NY
Project Background:
Diesel engine emissions from the private ferry fleets operating in the New York Harbor are responsible for significant amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulates, and other pollutants. As the emission sources from existing ferry fleets/engines are mostly unregulated, it has become apparent that an incentive program would be needed to produce the desired reduction in emissions from the ferry operators. The priority and urgency of addressing these emissions is underscored by the reported doubling of private ferry services since the events of 9/11, juxtaposed on a transportation-sensitive, highly populated area already in ozone non-attainment before 9/11.
To begin addressing the problem, New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) secured a grant from the Federal Highway Administration for an initial evaluation and demonstration program and a small pilot deployment program. The Federal Transit Administration, with the assistance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recently agreed to provide additional federal funding of $4.8 million, for a combined initiative of $6.8 million dedicated to improving emissions from private ferries.
Project Objective:
The objectives of the program are to evaluate, demonstrate, and deploy the optimum emissions reduction technologies applicable to retrofitting the existing fleet of privately run ferry vessels operating in the New York Harbor, and thus achieving the maximum degree of emissions reduction of NOx, particulates, and other emissions.
Project Description:
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is managing the program, in conjunction with the NYCDOT. Seaworthy Systems Inc. with Environment Canada, ESI International, and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) will be conducting the field demonstration with the private ferry fleets.
The multi-year program will provide: - Credible information on the costs, benefits, and feasibility of a wide range of possible emissions control options for private ferry fleets and the subsequent identification of a group of "best choices";
- Real-world experience with the use of the identified "best choice" emissions control technologies in private ferry fleets operating in New York's Harbor through a field demonstration initiative; and
- Ultimate widespread deployment of successful technologies within the NYC private ferry fleets to achieve maximum reduction of NOx, particulates, and additional emissions.
Benefits:
Currently, private ferries in the New York Harbor emit approximately 1,000 tons/yr of NOx and 145 ton/yr of particulates. Achieving a reasonable target level across the majority of the private fleet can result in NOx reductions of 150-300 tons/year - the rough equivalent of a new 500 MW combined cycle generating station - and reductions of particulates on the order of 30-90 tons/year. The project establishes the New York/New Jersey ferry operations as a model of environmental stewardship and city/state/federal/private sector cooperation.
Project Contact:
Frank Ralbovsky
Project Manager - Transportation and Power Systems Research
New York State Energy Research & Development Authority
Phone: (518) 862-1090 ext 3260
Fax: (518) 862-1091
email: fsr@nyserda.org
New York Harbor Strong Arm Ferry Docker
Project Location:
New York City, NY
Project Background:
Passenger ferry service has grown rapidly in New York, with large, mostly older diesel engines being the dominant type of prime mover. Various initiatives are in the planning or early implementation stages of addressing the emissions problems (mainly particulates and NOx) with these engine types. In addition to engine, fuel, and propulsion system modification, emissions reductions might be also achieved by boat operational changes.
Initial research indicates that most passenger ferries use engine power to hold their boats to the dock, remaining at full throttle during loading and unloading operations. The use of an alternate means of docking, e.g. through the use of a mechanical docking mechanism, may hold the potential of up to 50% fuel use reduction by allowing the engines to be throttled back when loading and unloading.
Project Objective:
Analyze, design, fabricate and test a prototype device, comprising a mechanical docking arm mechanism, to secure passengers.
Project Description:
Following the establishment of a detailed set of functional requirements for a docking mechanism, detailed analysis will be done on motions, loads, and stability parameters for ferry docking operations. Subsequently, a prototype docking mechanism will be designed and fabricated.
A prototype test program will be structured and carried out, with ultimate testing being done on an actual boat in the New York City harbor area. The field tests will verify the anticipated functional performance and utility of the device for displacing the current process of using engine power to hold ferry boats against the dock during loading and unloading.
Project Benefits:
The potential of up to 50% less fuel usage can not only lessen the City and States use of petroleum, but can also result in less particulate and NOx emissions in the City’s environmentally sensitive harbor area.
Project Schedule and Status:
The 7 month project began in the spring of of 2003.
Project Contact:
Frank Ralbovsky
Project Manager - Transportation and Power Systems Research
New York State Energy Research & Development Authority
Phone: (518) 862-1090 ext 3260
Fax: (518) 862-1091
email: fsr@nyserda.org
Push Boat Engine Repowers in Texas
The eight counties around Houston, Texas are affected by significant air quality problems, most notably those exceeding federal ozone standards. This area is also a major shipping hub where many push boats service the ports and travel through the inland waterway. Most of the engines propelling these vessels and providing auxiliary power are old since the capital cost and installation complexities of newer, cleaner engines often prevent fleet owners from upgrading their engines.
In order to take advantage of Texas’ TERP program, Megafleet hired a consultant in 1995 to interpret the rules associated with the TERP grant program and help prepare the grant application. The consultant also analyzed the emissions levels of their propulsion and auxiliary engines and assisted with the identification of new, cleaner engines eligible for funding under the TERP grant program. While this may seem like a simple task, technical requirements and program limitations had to be assessed and quantified to determine the feasibility and cost of installing new, cleaner engines. In the end, this assistance proved valuable in helping Megafleet win an award for almost $1 million to purchase and install several propulsion and auxiliary engines on their fleet of push boats.
The propulsion engines approved for funding under this program range from 300 horsepower to 500 horsepower while the new auxiliary engines are at 61 horsepower. Over a 10-year lifespan, both the propulsion and auxiliary repowered engines are projected to reduce NOx emissions by 385 tons and PM by a significant amount, although the TERP program does not quantify the PM reductions. While Megafleet will have other costs associated with its engine repowering, the benefits of the new engines, along with the TERP funding, exceed these costs, making these repowers both economically valuable to Megafleet and environmentally valuable to the citizens of Texas.
|
Print This
