Since fuel cost used to be low, compared to the fixed and variable cost of the vessel, it has therefore been cost-efficient to operate the vessels at high engine utilization, which also gives the best fuel utilization for combustion engines measured in gram fuel per kWh produced. In addition to CO2, which is the main emission when fuel is burnt in combustion engines, the exhaust gas contains SOx, NOx and particles. High fuel costs and the mandatory IMO Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), as well as increased environmental concerns, have challenged all elements of this practice. New power system designs based on state of the art integrating new technology optimized for the new practice are required for future energy- and emission efficient transport.

Objective

Improve current designs and explore novel technologies, systems and solutions for power generation that are energy and emission efficient.

Gaps

New power system designs utilizing novel technologies combining hybridization, energy harvesting, waste heat recovery, flexible engine solutions including fuels and exhaust gas cleaning are required to reach the future energy- and emission efficiencies aiming at.

Current engines are optimized to be energy-efficient for high power outtakes. The future engine solutions are required to be much more flexible towards fuels, emissions, power range, optimization options and system integration.

Improved methods and tools are needed for energy- and emission design and optimization of new power generation systems for flexibility, integrating novel technologies, different operations and realistic operation profiles.

Research tasks

Develop methods and tools for design, evaluation and optimization of flexible power and propulsion systems for energy and emission efficient operation within a wide power range.

Develop methods and tools, concepts and designs for reducing the fuel consumption at low loads utilizing advanced and novel combustion process control concepts.

Develop designs, methods and tools for improved injection, ignition and combustion of alternative fuels for marine applications (Natural gas, LPG, Methanol, Bio fuels, Hydrogen)

Develop methods and tools for design of power systems using LNG as fuel, comprising pure gas and duel fuel engines, including fuel storage, gas supply and bunkering.

Develop methods and tools for design and system evaluation of exhaust gas emission reduction techniques and solutions over a wide power range.

Explore potential, solutions and options for alternative energy converters and energy storage (fuel cells, batteries) and their efficient integration into the power plant.

Explore options and develop methods and tools for improved waste heat recovery, harvesting energy from wind, waves and sun and combining those into an integrated power system.