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Hede nætter og kolde kontanter - overgangsalderens pris (Clone)

Christina Molt Wengel — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:52:25 GMT

Overgangsalderen anno 2025 – mere end ”bare” hedeture

Vi bliver simpelthen nødt til at opdatere billedet af, hvad overgangsalderen reelt gør ved kvinder midt i livet.

Hede nætter og kolde kontanter - overgangsalderens pris (Clone)

Christina Molt Wengel — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:50:34 GMT

Overgangsalderen anno 2025 – mere end ”bare” hedeture

Vi bliver simpelthen nødt til at opdatere billedet af, hvad overgangsalderen reelt gør ved kvinder midt i livet.

Hede nætter og kolde kontanter - overgangsalderens pris

Christina Molt Wengel — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:44:44 GMT

Overgangsalderen anno 2025 – mere end ”bare” hedeture

Vi bliver simpelthen nødt til at opdatere billedet af, hvad overgangsalderen reelt gør ved kvinder midt i livet.

Climate, Security, and Europe’s eFuels Moment

Emma Henriksson — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Europe’s security, competitiveness, and climate goals now align: reduce exposure to volatile fossil imports while building resilient eFuel production at home. EU oil import dependency stands at around 95%, creating a major strategic vulnerability. Scaling domestically produced eFuels can turn this risk into industrial strength.

What is Power-to-X?

Emma Henriksson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Power-to-X (PtX) is an umbrella term for technologies that convert renewable electricity — mainly from wind and solar — into various energy carriers or products such as fuels, chemicals, or heat. The “X” stands for the target product.

The Importance of Resilience in the Energy Sector

Emma Henriksson — Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The concept of resilience has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used and appears at various levels such as individual, system, societal, and organisational. Regardless of category or level, resilience consistently describes — in one way or another — the ability to withstand and manage change, recover, and continue developing.

What are eFuels?

Emma Henriksson — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

eFuels are synthetic fuels produced by combining hydrogen (H₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Their chemical structure closely resembles that of conventional fossil fuels, allowing them to be transported, stored, and used within existing infrastructure. This makes them a practical alternative in industries where battery-based electrification isn't feasible — such as global shipping and aviation, which require high energy density and long-range capability.

Leveraging Residual Heat for eFuel Production

Emma Henriksson — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Using residual heat from industrial processes is an effective way to improve efficiency and recover thermal energy that would otherwise go to waste. Often repurposed for applications like district heating, this surplus heat can also support eFuel production by preheating raw materials and reducing reliance on additional energy sources, contributing to more sustainable and cost-effective operations.

How Residual Heat Can Be Used in eFuel Production

Residual heat generated within eFuel facilities can be repurposed to improve the energy efficiency of eFuel production as well as supporting district heating networks. This dual use of thermal energy enhances the circularity of the process by ensuring that even the heat produced during eFuel manufacturing contributes to broader energy efficiency goals.

In the case of eMethanol production, residual heat can be integrated at various stages to reduce reliance on additional fuels or electricity, making the overall process more sustainable. Here’s how:

Hydrogen Production

Green hydrogen, essential for eMethanol production, is generated through electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. Electrolysers operate most efficiently within a specific temperature range, generating heat during operation. This residual heat can be harnessed internally to preheat the incoming water, reducing the need for additional energy to reach optimal operating temperatures. By repurposing this thermal energy through internal heat exchange, the overall efficiency of the process is improved while minimising energy demand.

CO₂ Separation

In CO₂ separation, flue gases are directed into an absorber unit, where a solvent captures the CO₂ molecules while letting other gases pass through. Once the solvent is saturated with CO₂, it is pumped into a desorber unit, where heat is used to release the CO₂. At this stage, residual heat can be used to reduce the energy needed for heating, making the process more efficient.

Retrofitting Marine Engines for Methanol Use

Emma Henriksson — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

By retrofitting existing vessels to use methanol as a fuel, shipowners can gradually adapt their fleets to minimise their environmental impact without the need to build entirely new ships. By 2046, it is estimated that 35,000 ships will be retrofitted to use zero-emission fuels⁽¹⁾. This approach offers a practical pathway to align with the Paris Agreement and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. While headline-grabbing figures on methanol newbuilds have been significant, they represent only the tip of the iceberg. The real bulk of the numbers are coming from the retrofit orders.

Why Retrofitting is an Attractive Option

Amid limited shipyard capacity and rising newbuild costs, retrofitting offers a flexible solution that reduces emissions and maximises the use of existing fleets. By choosing to upgrade vessels rather than invest in new builds, shipowners can adapt more efficiently to macroeconomic pressures and industry demands.

Shipyard Capacity

Global shipyards are experiencing high demand, resulting in limited availability of construction slots. As of early 2024, shipowners looking to place newbuild contracts at tier-one yards in China, Korea, or Japan are facing delivery dates as late as 2027⁽²⁾. Securing a slot for retrofitting tends to offer more flexibility, allowing shipowners to upgrade their existing fleets sooner and avoid the long wait times associated with new builds.

Key Considerations

Limited Availability: Shipyards are often at full capacity, handling maintenance, new builds, and retrofits, leading to longer wait times.
Prioritisation: Shipowners should evaluate which vessels can benefit most in terms of fuel efficiency and operational lifespan. Vessels that are newer or more adaptable to methanol systems should be prioritised, while older ships might need to be retired or considered for alternative solutions.
Long Lead Times: Planning for retrofitting requires early scheduling, as shipyard slots may be booked years in advance. Proactive planning helps secure available slots and ensures timely execution

Newbuild Costs

Newbuilding prices have risen significantly, reaching their highest levels in 16 years. Since late 2020, prices have increased by 53%, with a 3% rise in the first half of 2024 alone. This surge is attributed to factors such as increased demand, higher raw material costs, and limited shipyard capacity. ⁽³⁾

Factors Influencing Costs and Availability

High Demand for Specific Vessel Types: There has been a surge in orders for LNG carriers and container ships, which has occupied significant shipyard capacity.⁽⁴⁾
Rising Material and Labor Costs: Inflationary pressures have led to increased costs for materials and labor, further driving up newbuild prices.⁽⁵⁾
Shipyard Capacity Constraints: Many shipyards are operating at full capacity, with limited slots available for new projects, leading to longer waiting times for newbuild deliveries.**

Technical and Operational Considerations

Retrofitting marine engines for methanol presents a range of technical and operational challenges that must be addressed to ensure a successful transition. Addressing these factors is crucial for optimising fuel efficiency, ensuring safety, and achieving compliance with environmental regulations. Below are key areas that need attention during the retrofitting process.

Fuel Storage and Delivery Systems

One of the most critical aspects of retrofitting for methanol is upgrading the fuel storage and delivery system. This requires the installation of separate tanks for methanol to ensure physical separation from the existing fuel system, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring safe handling. Given methanol’s lower energy density, additional storage capacity or the repurposing of existing tanks may be necessary, especially for vessels in need of larger storage solutions. For vessels using dual-fuel systems, maintaining this physical separation is crucial to minimise risks related to handling multiple fuel types on board.

Retrofitting Timeframe

The planning and execution period for retrofitting a vessel span approximately five years. After the retrofit, the vessel can operate for another 10-15 years before requiring further upgrades. Given this long planning horison, shipowners must decide whether retrofitting an older vessel is more cost-effective than selling it and investing in a new build.

Fuel Module Upgrades

Retrofitting a vessel involves more than just engine modifications. The entire fuel system must be adapted to accommodate methanol, which includes upgrading the fuel module to handle the new fuel safely. Methanol has different chemical properties than conventional marine fuels, requiring specific fuel module designs.

Exhaust System Modifications

In addition to fuel system upgrades, retrofitting for methanol use may require modifications to the exhaust system. Methanol combustion can produce different emissions compared to traditional fuels, necessitating adjustments to exhaust treatment systems to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and optimise emission reductions.

Preventing Engine Failures at Sea with eMethanol

Emma Henriksson — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Fuel contamination is a major issue for the maritime industry, threatening the operational efficiency and safety of vessels. Traditional fuels like Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) are particularly prone to contamination, which can cause engine problems, increased maintenance costs, and reduced fuel efficiency. In the worst cases, critical components like fuel injectors can fail, leaving a vessel unable to sail — leading to lost revenue.

Ensuring engine performance and maintaining warranties are top priorities for shipowners, which is why fuel contamination is considered a significant risk. In 2023, over 120 incidents of power or propulsion losses at sea were directly linked to fuel-related issues, according to a report by FuelTrust⁽¹⁾. Additionally, 39% of global bunkers between 2021 and 2022 showed discrepancies in fuel content, highlighting the widespread issue of fuel contamination.

The Problem with Fuel Contamination

Contamination occurs when undesirable substances — such as water, particulates, microbes, or chemicals — enter the fuel. Each type of contaminant can cause significant damage:

Water: Water can enter fuel during storage or bunkering, promoting microbial growth that forms sludge, which clogs filters and injectors. Water also leads to rust and corrosion in engine parts, and in cold temperatures, it can freeze and block fuel lines.
Particulates: Dust, dirt, and metal fragments in the fuel cause abrasive wear on engine parts like pumps and injectors, accelerating their deterioration.
Microbial Growth: Bacteria and fungi thrive in the water-fuel interface, producing corrosive byproducts and clogging filters with sludge, leading to engine malfunctions.
Chemical Contaminants: Sulfur and heavy metals found in traditional fuels can accelerate engine corrosion and create harmful deposits, reducing engine lifespan.

Methanol: The Hidden Advantage

One of the key reasons methanol is emerging as a leading solution for marine fuel is its purity. Methanol contains no sulfur, metals, or particulates, virtually eliminating the risk of contamination-related engine issues. Even though large diesel engines can handle some contamination, methanol’s zero contamination risk means engine performance remains optimal without the need to worry about impurities.

While methanol can have minor contamination risks during logistics (such as during transfer from storage tanks to the ship), these are minimal compared to the challenges faced by ammonia or LNG, which require specialised and complex handling systems.

The Logistical Advantage of Methanol

A significant benefit of methanol is its compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure. Methanol can be stored, transported, and handled using the same pipelines, tanks, and systems designed for traditional fuels like MDO. A simple chemical clean of pipes and tanks is usually enough to switch between methanol and other fuels, unlike ammonia or LNG, which require entirely new systems.

For fuel supply chain players — such as bunker barges, storage operators, and end-users — this means:

Lower costs: No need for expensive new infrastructure, as existing systems can be adapted to handle methanol.
Easy fuel switching: Switching between methanol and MDO is as simple as cleaning a tank, allowing for flexibility in fuel use.
Faster adoption: Since methanol can use existing infrastructure, the transition can happen more quickly and with fewer barriers.

Methanol’s Overall Cost Benefit

In comparison, ammonia and LNG require highly specialised storage systems due to their hazardous nature. Ammonia is toxic, and LNG requires cryogenic tanks for storage at extremely low temperatures. Methanol’s ability to use existing infrastructure makes it the most cost-effective and practical solution for both the short and long term.

Conclusion

Methanol’s purity and compatibility with existing logistics make it an ideal choice as the maritime industry moves toward cleaner fuel alternatives. Its benefits go beyond engine performance and compliance with regulations — methanol offers an efficient, scalable solution for fuel storage and transport. As the demand for sustainable shipping grows, methanol is proving to be the most practical and cost-effective fuel option.

The impact of fuel contamination is far-reaching, affecting not only engine performance but also the overall safety and operational efficiency of vessels. Reducing these risks with a cleaner, more reliable fuel like methanol is essential to ensuring smoother maritime operations.

⁽¹⁾The cost of fraud in the maritime fuel market, FuelTrust, June 2023: https://info.fueltrust.io/hubfs/Files/whitepapers/wp-cost-of-fraud-in-maritime-fuel-market-jun2023.pdf