UP CLOSE: NOAA’S GREEN SHIP INITIATIVE LED
BY DENNIS DONAHUE AND GLERL’S SHIP OPERATIONS GROUP

August 23, 2007 — Thanks to the innovations put in place by NOAA marine superintendent, Dennis Donahue, and the “Green Ships Initiative,” all three of NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory large diesel research vessels operate fully on bio-based, vegetable products. The R/V Huron Explorer, R/V Shenehon and R/V Laurentian, all use 100 percent soy biodiesel for engine fuel, canola-based motor oil and vegetable-based hydraulic oil for its deck crane, winches, transmission, and steering gear. Not only is this a cost effective way to help reduce environmental emissions, but it also has improved both ship performance and crew health and safety. The ships are the first in the U.S. fleet to operate on 100 percent bio-based products and GLERL has already received two national level awards for this environmental effort. (Click NOAA image for larger view of GLERL's three green ships, the R/V Huron Explorer, R/V Shenehon and R/V Laurentian. Please credit "NOAA.")

GLERL’s Ship Operations Group, in Muskegon, Mich., created a “Green Ship Initiative” in 1999 to explore innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of its ships and boats on the nation’s greatest freshwater resource — the Great Lakes. Over the past seven years, the initiative has grown from a series of pilot projects to full implementation — and is spreading quickly to other NOAA (i.e., National Ocean Service and National Marine Fisheries Service) and non-NOAA offices. (Click NOAA image for larger view of NOAA green ship features. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)

At the center of the “Green Ship Initiative” is the exclusive use of B100 (100 percent soy biodiesel), in preference to B20 (a 20 percent blend of soy oil with petroleum diesel) that has been in use for a number of years in road vehicles. B100 operational benefits include lower emissions, higher lubricity, cleaner injectors, and costs savings while also improving the safety and work environment of the ship’s crew and scientists. The fact that B100 contains no sulfur allows for the use of catalyst exhaust after treatments that further reduce emissions, particularly NOx which is a green house gas.

Building on the successful use of B100 biodiesel, the ships mechanical systems were also converted to bio-products. The biodegradable vegetable oils used in the crankcase, gearbox and hydraulics offer an additional level of environmental protection in the event of a spill or accidental leak.

Concurrent with the introduction of bio-based materials, all shipboard systems were reviewed for potential environmental impact. New safeguards were engineered to eliminate overboard discharge and better manage material use and containment. It is the complete package that carries the strongest message supporting NOAA’s environmental stewardship, the feasibility/acceptability of the bio-products, and a positive public image regarding federal alternative fuel leadership. It is a landmark effort and yet another example of how NOAA is on the cutting edge of science, service and stewardship.

Below, Donahue, who heads up both the Green Ship Initiative and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory’s Ship Operations Group, shares his thoughts on his work in this area.

Q: How did you first hear about bio-fuels and bio-products?
A: When the “Green Ship” concept was forming in 1999, the use of B20 was gaining acceptance as an alternative diesel fuel. Its use was being driven by Presidential Executive Orders calling for the “Greening of the Federal Government.” GLERL’s approach to this federal program was to focus on the ship based use of bioproducts with a goal of demonstrating its environmental and operational benefits. The success of B20 in land based vehicles suggested that marine applications could also be practical and that B100 would yield maximum benefits.

Q: What is and what inspired you to start the Green Ship Initiative?
A: The Green Ship Initiative is a mind set in vessel management. As a seafaring federal agency with an environmental mission, NOAA is in a unique position to help advance vessel operating practices, equipment design and the use of bio-based products in marine applications. There are many creative ideas being developed in the private sector that need real world testing and refinement. The use of biofuels also reduces air pollution, greenhouse gas buildup, dependence on imported fossil fuels, and supports U.S. agriculture and the economy.

Much like the LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for building design and management, the Green Ships Initiative looks at choice of materials, energy efficiency and life cycle costs. The average age of GLERL research vessels is 40 years, yet through careful management and investment they remain cost effective platforms and have become cutting edge research and development platforms for equipment and system engineering.

Q: Why is it important that NOAA, as well as other federal agencies, convert to bio-products?
A: All federal agencies are required to use renewable products where applicable. We also have an obligation to advance the green movement through leadership in purchasing power and help advance new technologies in the private sector.

Recently, alternatives to petroleum oil have gained unprecedented support in the government and general public. Bio-fuels, in particular due to relatively high volumes, offer both a reduction in petroleum consumption and emissions. Most bio-based products also provide operational and worker health and safety benefits.

Q: What makes the Green Ship Initiative so unique, besides the fact that it uses bio-fuels and bio-products?
A: We try to push the most promising technologies. Our use of B100, as opposed to B20, was groundbreaking at the time and is steadily increasing in other applications. We also give preference to products with the highest bio content. Mechanical devices or operating practices that potentially reduce emissions or aquatic impact are also included for evaluation. Lastly, we determine what changes are needed in system design or operation in order to make the bioproducts work in existing systems. This is fundamentally different from other initiatives in that they usually focus on the reverse. Instead of engineering bio-products into new vessel design, this project included conversion of vessels 30 to 50 years old. As technology and regulatory changes are advancing new construction, this project is providing practical, cost effective alternatives to the large legacy fleet.

Q: Can you explain how the use of bio-fuels and bio-products helps NOAA to fulfill its mission?
A: Embracing our obligations as stewards of the environment has become a source of pride for GLERL. The general public and other stakeholders in the agency have shown great interest in our efforts. Many elements have already been directly transferred to recreational and commercial operators.

NOAA is a seafaring agency with an environmental stewardship mandate. By supporting emerging green technologies and the subsequent development of new markets, the Green Ship Initiative upholds this mandate.

Overall we have experienced a 17 percent decrease in operating costs primarily due to material cost savings and refining maintenance and operating practices. Capital costs have also been dramatically reduced as vessel and equipment life cycles are extended.

Q: What is the “Green Ship Working Group”?
A: With increased media and industry attention, the number of inquires and technical questions from vessel operators in both public and private sectors have exploded. To better communicate lessons learned and share technical resources, GLERL established the Green Ship Working Group with participants from NOAA, university and commercial vessel operators. The Working Group plans to partner with other marine organizations and use outreach and educational tools, such as Internet list serves, newsletters and workshops. Initially focused on science research ships, this network is growing in its scope and diversity.

Q: Now that all three GLERL research vessels have been converted to 100 percent bio-based products, what is in store for the future?
A: Although the Green Ship Initiative’s goal of bio-based operation has been reached, much work remains in follow-up evaluation of the conversion and future exploration of opportunities to further expand the use of renewable fuels in other aspects of GLERL research operations. There seems to always be new materials, design options and equipment for evaluation. Some preliminary work with ethanol as an alternative to gasoline fueled two-cycle outboards (marine engines) will be revisited in the very near future. Multi-fuel engines, fuel cells and hydrogen power may also have applications onboard research vessels. Long-term impact assessments on mechanical systems and material compatibility issues will take several years to complete.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA

NOAA Research

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

Media Contact:
Jana Goldman, NOAA Research, (301) 734-1123