Applying Real-Time On-Board Emissions Measurements and GIS Data to Evaluate the Applicability of AIS-based Emissions Inventory Estimates of Ocean-Going Vessels
RYAN W. DROVER, Thomas Eckel, J. Wayne Miller, David R. Cocker III,
University of California, Riverside Abstract Number: 38
Working Group: Control and Mitigation Technology
AbstractEmissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from ocean-going vessels (OGVs) are a significant contributor to inventories in many cities, resulting in cities failing to meet clean air standards. Emissions from OGVs have been particularly challenging to account for, with emissions inventories developed off of time-intensive on-board sampling methods yielding emission factors which are applied based on reported vessel activity data (AIS). To reduce maritime NOx emissions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented several effective actions.
This project measured the real-shipping emissions of NOx and particulate matter (PM) from two vessels meeting the latest standards and found the emissions met the Tier III standard within the Emission Controlled Area (ECA) and met Tier II standards after exiting the ECA, and one vessel developed under the prior Tier II standards. Real-time GIS data was recorded alongside the real-time NOx and PM measurements, and corroborated by the primary GPS units onboard the vessels. The primary finding in this research was at <25% power, the measured NOx emissions were seven times the Tier III standard. This finding is important as ships entering harbors or in go-slow zones operate at <25% power and are near people whose health should be protected. In this stage of the work, the complete vessel activity and real-time emissions were analyzed, identifying significant challenges in estimating emissions from OGVs based on traditional methods of EFs and AIS and supports contemporary calls for the adoption of continuous emissions monitoring systems for accurate emissions accounting.