Project Leader:	Professor Dr-Ing Otto Geisler, Dr-Ing M Napp
Research Assistant:	Dipl-Ing S Busch
Duration:	01.01.1991-31.12.1994

 

Within the framework of the R&D project "Ship Operation System" (SHOPSY) the Institute undertook the Development Theme 6: Energy Management Systems.

The mechanical equipment in ships constitute very complex energy systems. Its purpose is, besides propulsion, also the safe loading and stowing of the cargo and the complete support of the living quartiers, including their supply and waste disposal auxilliary systems. To fulfil these tasks on board of ships mechanical, electrical and thermal energy is necessary. The generation and consumption of these energy forms, given the combined heat and power integration desired, necessitates a close interoperability between the aggregates.

The energy management of such a complex mechanical facility must ensure in particular the safety and cost efficiency of the ship operation. Any optimisation, therefore, demands a systematic consideration of the overall machine components.

Given the continuously reduced crew numbers it is increasingly necessary to offer to the remaining staff support tools for optimising the energy processes or to automate these tasks. Aim of this project was to develop an energy management system specially adapted to the unique boundary conditions found in ships.

Particularly well suited is this energy management system for the electrical networks aboard ships. Through an improved load distribution within the network can the onboard generator load be reduced, resulting in less investment and operating costs. A prognosis of the load peaks makes possible to prevent particularly critical conditions (blackout). For this purpose an extensive measurement campaign was performed onboard a container ship and the results confirmed the applicability of the concepts developed in this project.