Sustainable Lobster Fishing
powered by locally produced NH3
Presented by
Rick Krementz
Racketash Sustainable Energy
207-956-0007
rkrementz@mba1984.hbs.edu
The Challenge
Offshore island communities
Very sensitive to small changes
Highly energy dependent
Single avocation – lobstering
High costs of food, energy, transportation
The Present Situation



Seriously impacted by high petroleum prices in
2008
Seriously impacted by dropping demand in
2008 – present: less demand and lower prices
High bait prices compounded problem
Future Concerns
“Out of sight” fishermen have no political voice
Future access to petroleum is likely to be much
more politically dependent
Priority users will be military, public service, medical
professionals, truckers, farmers, distribution, etc.
Remote fisherman of “luxury” product likely to be
“last on list”
A Solution


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Create sustainable energy solution for offshore
islands Matinicus and Criehaven
Prove viability of NH3 engines
“Green” solution will allow branding of lobster
for higher profits to locals
How do we generate our own energy
resource?

Islanders strongly prefer self-reliance

Very strong wind resource (Zone 6)

Islanders spend about $2 million/year on
energy, or $40 million over next 2 decades
DoE Maine Wind Map
Red is an “outstanding”
wind resource
Black dot outside of red
area is Criehaven and
Matinicus
The Plan
Install in-water wind turbines (5 MW capacity)
Produce electricity, mostly for NH3 production
Use NH3 as fuel for lobster boats
Use NH3 for generators when wind is weak
What is NH3?
NH3 (anhydrous ammonia):
Is gas at regular conditions
Liquifies at 130 psi (similar to propane)
Non-flammable per DoT
Essentially non-explosive at STP
Non-toxic, but intensely caustic
What is NH3 (p.2)
Gas is lighter than air
Combusts to nitrogen gas and water
Safer than petroleum fuel
2nd most produced chemical in the world
Energy density about half of gasoline
Higher energy density than liquid hydrogen
How to use as fuel
Easy to burn inefficiently
Was used in Belgium buses during WW2
The challenge is burning efficiently without pollution
Project is internal combustion engines
NH3 can be used in fuel cells, turbines
Various approaches to NH3 fuel
NH3 has very high ignition point
NH3 will not ignite in compression ignition engine
without a combustion promoter (gasoline, diesel)
NH3 can be cracked into N2 and H2
NH3 can be emulsified with diesel
NH3 can be liquid injected
NH3 can be super/turbo charged as a gas injection
The Energy Picture
Total energy consumption is approximately 400,000
gal per year (Diesel equivalent)
10% used for electricity production
80% used for lobster boat fuel
10% miscellaneous (vehicles, cooking gas,
tractors)(includes propane and gasoline)
High Risk Project
Haber Bosch not suitable for small wind
Solid State Ammonia Synthesis (SSAS) not ready yet
Engine designs not proven yet
Licensing for in-water turbines complex
Licensing storage for NH3 complex
Financing challenges, non-profit
Thank You
For more information contact
Rick Krementz
rkrementz@mba1984.hbs.edu
krementz.blogspot.com