Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Fleetzero was founded in August of 2021 by two life-long friends who have developed a solution that provides the maritime industry an option for decarbonization without a green premium. 

Most proposals for decarbonizing deep-ocean shipping center around increasing fuel economies and use of alternative fuels in place of fossil fuels. This will raise costs for shipping due to research of the alternatives, construction of new infrastructures, and the additional cost of cleaner fuels. Although some near-shore ferries today use them, the use of batteries in ocean shipping has been discounted because of the cost, longevity, range limitations, and environmental impacts of batteries.

Fleetzero overcomes these challenges with environmentally responsible, long-lived battery cells arranged in 20‚ containers. Allowing a fleet of vessels to share a common set of batteries. By swapping them frequently (and quickly) at ports along a long route, a fleet of vessels that share needs fewer batteries than if each vessel was outfitted with enough batteries to make the entire trip. This reduces the cost of batteries required per unit of cargo we deliver giving us a cost advantage to fossil-fuel ships. 

The market is poised for rapid acceptance of this innovation. There aren‚ t any other technologies on the market that would give the option to meet decarbonization goals in an economically advantageous way. Major shipping companies are not inclined to move towards this model of operating because of significant investment in the business as usual transportation infrastructure and supply chain has limited their thinking.

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Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Our logistical model of using smaller ships to replace the massive containerships will open opportunities for communities and populations that do not otherwise benefit from other renewable energy or battery-based projects. Fleetzero‚ battery-powered ships build stronger economies as they:

1) provide for business and infrastructure development in ports that have lost opportunities to major distribution hubs.

2) support expansion of smaller port complexes and shore-side infrastructure projects that positively impact underserved areas by opening new communities to participate in international trade. 

3) offer opportunities for smaller domestic and international port complexes to realistically dictate to shippers the source and carbon intensity of the power used to power ships coming to their ports.

4) create opportunities for new partnerships with renewable energy providers miles from the port who will be able to provide energy via battery pack to the shipping industry.

Fleetzero‚ battery packs will protect and empower economically and environmentally sensitive communities and populations disproportionately impacted by the pollution from the shipping industry. Battery-electric ships are already the alternative of choice for environmentally sensitive areas. Fleetzero‚ battery packs would expand and economize that choice, making it an option for all because they will:

1) improve the air quality in and around port complexes. Our solution will also prevent harmful NOx, SOx, and particulate pollution in port communities. 

2) provide a viable alternative for clean, quiet, and low-vibration ships to trade in smaller, more environmentally sensitive areas. 

3) give port communities and national authorities the ability to mandate and demand the use of more environmentally sound shipping methods coming into and out of their waterways.



Beyond their uses onboard ships, Fleetzero‚ battery packs will be part of empowering and expanding the influence of underrepresented communities and underserved areas because they can be used as long-term power capture and storage options. Fleetzero battery packs will be self-regulating inverter islands that can join in a local grid allowing for larger, more reliable localized energy grids. This is important to: 

1) stabilize and economize the renewable energy contribution to existing energy networks by providing storage devices for excess power. 
2) allow for redistribution of the batteries to take advantage of seasonal solar intensity changes and provide modular and cheap options to maximize wind and geothermal production. 
3) expand the possibilities for remote and off-grid communities to remain reliably powered with renewable energy sources. 
4) open opportunities for energy export from some of the world's most remote areas. Fleetzero batteries can be charged and swapped in existing infrastructure arrangements such as Kodiak, AK, USA (wind), or Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia (geothermal). With a relatively small investment, new charging footprints could be developed anywhere renewable energy can be found. 

See the attached studies and reports regarding the impacts and concerns of mega-ships on the Swedish economy, the positive effects of coastal shipping in India and the Marmara region, and the adverse effects of particulates and noise pollution in the marine environment to understand further the unique issues facing the international community from the shipping industry.

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