Energy efficient and climate friendly refrigeration systems onboard fishing vessels

Refrigeration systems onboard fishing vessels are necessary to keep the catch at a low temperature and to ensure long shelf life. Most refrigeration systems in the world fishing fleet still have R-22 as a working fluid, which has both ozone depleting potential and global warming potential. In this paper, key findings are presented from the CoolFish project, financed by The Research Council of Norway and industry partners. The primary objective has been to develop technology and increase knowledge for more energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling, freezing, and heating systems onboard fishing vessels. Development and utilisation of natural refrigerants, especially R-744 and R-717, have been important to communicate. The main emissions come from engines, and the development within propulsion systems and fuels is described. Integration of cooling and heating is vital to reduce energy demand. The heat from the engine is commonly used onboard, but other integration possibilities are also explored. Keywords: fishing vessel, energy efficiency, natural refrigerants, sustainability, greenhouse gas emission