Work

Decarbonizing the maritime sector: cold ironing and e-fuels. Case study: Gran Canaria

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This research addresses the decarbonization of the maritime transport considering the services that can be provided at port, by analyzing both cold ironing and e-fuels production. To this end, the electricity demand for both processes is estimated, as well as the resulting electricity generation cost and the associated emissions, enabling an estimate of the climate neutrality cost. Two possible scenarios were considered for the renewable e-fuel production: dedicated renewable farms versus renewable surpluses coming from the island electricity system. For the cold ironing different scenarios are being considered: electricity coming from the grid and renewable farms to produce the required electricity. The island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) is considered as the case study. The results show a potential reduction of 483 kt of CO 2 -eq (9) % of the island’s emissions) and a levelized cost of energy ranging from 181 to 616 €/MWh, depending on the scenario and e-fuel considered.

Source: Transportation Research Part D Transport and Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2026.105566

Authors: Pablo Yánez-Rosales, Paula Ferreira, Julieta Schallenberg-Rodriguez, Alexis Lozano-Medina, B.del Rio-Gamero

Institutions: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University of Minho

Language: English

Topic: Maritime Transport Emissions and Efficiency

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450