This holistic system-centered ship design process will enable accurate performance assessment of full ship systems in realistic operational conditions, and assessment of effects of energy efficiency improving measures. Optimal choice and performance of next generation low-emission ships need to be based on improved analytical and numerical models integrated in a system analysis and simulation framework, verified by laboratory and field tests. In addition, continuous optimization of these systems can be achieved by the combination of real-time monitoring and appropriate system simulations.
Objective
Enable performance evaluation and benchmarking of designs on a ship system level by combining monitoring data and simulations in a framework where component and subsystem models can be combined in a full ship system, and validate the results through laboratory and full-scale tests.
Gaps
There is a need for software and simulation tools that enable new ships to be designed for optimal operational performance as one system instead of sub optimization of individual components and systems (ViProMa 2012).
Purely CFD based approaches are too slow and resource demanding for use in automatized design approaches and in time-domain simulation packages, particularly when waves and other dynamic phenomena shall be included.
Most vessels designs today are tested in calm water and maybe a few different sea states, which makes realistic lifecycle performance evaluation difficult knowing that the actual operation profile will consist of thousands of different sea states.
Use of full-scale data for validation on the full ship system level is challenging due to the full system complexity with a high number of variables and possible performance indicators, creating a need for standardization of validation methodologies.
Research tasks
Connect the different physical domains and modeling regimes of hydrodynamics, power systems and marine operations in one open framework. Investigate the use of existing system integration frameworks, e.g. CSI, Open HLA, etc.
Develop a visual interface for configuring the components of the ship’s power generation, distribution and propulsion system with the vessel’s hydrodynamic characteristics. Including how analysis tools (graphical user interfaces, 3D visualization, plots) can be included.
Develop a library database for efficient use and re-use of component models and product data, e.g. diesel engines, electrical switchboards, gearboxes and propellers.
Develop methods for describing system operation, in the form of operational profiles and usage scenarios. Create an adequate representation of different operation modes (e.g. transport/transit; port operations; dynamic positioning close to rigs/vessels) and combine this with the influence of the environment using historical research weather data.
Outline methods for assessing system performance against operational profiles and scenarios. Develop some standard measures for the performance of a system, in the form of KPIs.
Develop methodologies for collection, filtering and use of full-scale measurement data in order to validate and calibrate the ship system simulations.