ISL contributes to SCIENCE GOES PUBLIC!

There are approximately 62,000 ships worldwide – the vast majority of which are powered by fossil fuels. The International Maritime Organization has decided that global shipping should be climate-neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, a number of options are currently being discussed.

ISL Managing Director Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen and Friederike Fontes, Head of the ISL Maritime Hydrogen Research Group, presented possible options for decarbonizing shipping in their lectures as part of this year's SCIENCE GOES PUBLIC! autumn series. At the Cafe de Fiets pub in Bremerhaven, an interested audience listened as Nils Meyer-Larsen explained the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing LNG, ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, batteries, wind power, and nuclear energy for ship propulsion. In her presentation at the Kapovaz pub, Friederike Fontes discussed the potentials and limitations of regional methanol synthesis in Northern Germany, using the MariSynFuel project as an example. She focused particularly on the opportunities for sustainable and cost-effective methanol production and factors which restrict its implementation.

A wealth of entertaining science in a brisk 30 minutes. SCIENCE GOES PUBLIC! quenches the thirst for knowledge of its audience. Twice a year, Interesting scientific topics are presented in selected pubs and bars in Bremerhaven in a humorous way. The city of Bremen has also been participating since October 2017, showcasing the diverse and exciting scientific landscape in both cities.