A powerful support tool — for optimal operation of the vessel Ove Steinsiand, Development Engineer Power Technology and Marl Ottesen, Trainee, Wartsila Ship Design Reduced emissions, improved efficiency and significant fuel savings are now possible as a result of the new upgrade of Wartsila's Integrated ‘Automation System. The new system is designed to assist the crew in finding the optimum way of operating ‘and managing a vessel. known as the smediate information ECOmeter, gives about a vessels fuel consumption, and will be a powerful support tool in optimizing the operation of ships. The system provides instaneaneous values for fuel consumption and also reveals how the engines are loaded, ‘Assembling information ‘A modern vese ited with a diesel-electric propulsion system, colleets a large amount of data about the equipment and systems. ‘The WIAS collects this available information, and provides relevant information to the operator on how the ship is being operated. The WIAS ECOmeter ‘makes ie possible to observe the ships speed in relation to its ideal speed with the actual propeller thrust. Ie also generates reports relating to fuel consumption and CO, emissions, and shows how much fel Fig.1~ Screens on the bridge make the crew more aware ofthe ship's specific fuel consumption, The specific consumption, to achieve the estimate the consumption per nautical mile, as well as optimal operation of the generators of arrival, are all indicated,RANA) [MARINE / IN DETAIL] Propulsion optimization Vessel process control Im Fig. 2 ~The ECOmeter s a vessel performance tool and a new addition tothe Wartsild Integrated Automation System. is consumed at the diffrent operating profiles, namely in steaming, dynamic positioning (DP), and harbour mode. An interesting feature is that itis possible o optimize the power consumption and speed to meet the requested arrival time Consumption and emissions “Traditionally, the ful costs for ofhore supply vessels ave been covered by the cil companies, with few restrietions for the ship owners and crew But hiss changing, and we se cleat indications of fucure with new demands for the offhore industry regarding fuel consumption and emissions. A consequence of this is chat ship owners, in onder to become competitive and win contracts, are looking more closely into che alternatives chat minimize emissions and fuel consumption. Historically, the main focus has been on optimizing each machinery anit individually. However, Wire’ new WIAS feature provides power oprimization 62 indetail for the entire system by collecting signal fom all dhe units, and combining this data with the navigation and hull performance. The ECOmeter thereby assists the erew in operating the vessel more efficiently, since the information i provides makes ie easier to make eorrect decisions regarding the power needed System integrator ‘Wires, with its product range and system integration capabiley, sabe to develop tools that offer better control of the entire vessel, This isthe result of decades of experience in engines, power management, propulsion drive systems, and ship design. Being arora solution provider gives Wires a unique competence in the various product fields, and this has cnabled the development of anction such as the ECOmeter a a statin working towards total vss optimization Reliable measurements Until now, the common way of measuring a vessel fuel consumption has been via flow meter measuring. Experience indicates that the use of flow meters does not accurately show the fuel consumption, “The Wirtsili approach, therefore, has been to develop a system that provides reliable ‘measurements repeatedly over time, and ‘one that takes as many parameters as posible into account, Furthermore the system provides more information on fuel consumption. On-going development “The WIAS ECOmeceris under continuous development, based on experience gathered in real life. Advanced reporting features are planned, with an ‘option for online reporting via remote connection. Such a data harvest will provide valuable information on specific fuacl us in diferent operational modes. “This information will also be used for farther analysis and the optimization of ‘new designs and propulsion solutions Iealso provides the ability to-monitor ships‘vera longer period, and thus provide an integral basis by which performance can be assessed for further analysis and optimization CONCLUSION ‘The WIAS ECOmeter: Ii Provides unique information for the optimal operation of the vessel I Gives immediate feedback on specific fuel consumption, dhus increasing the crews awareness and understanding of fuel saving possbiliies. I Exploits the flexibility of a multi- engine genset solution. I Advises on power consumption and speed according to the estimated, time of atival. © Se ee OR Wao) 1 Fig. 3~ Optimization tool visualizing the relative eficiency of power generation. I REFERENC! VIKING LADY ‘The Eidesvik Offshore's'Viking Lady's considered tobe the world’s most environmentally sound ship, and i the first vessel tooperate using a fuel cll. The Wartslla design, dual-fuel engines, the Low Loss Concept, and WIAS are all important factors in the vessel's reduced specific uel consumption and emissions. One ofthe fist ECOmeters was installed aboard the Viking Lady’ asa pilot project. The results thus far have been mostly successful, thus emphasising the great potential of thisnew IKING LADY, EIDESVIK OFFSHORE ‘Wartsla technology. Being a pilot project thas, of course, met with a few initial challenges. However Chief Helge \Vestbestad s more than satisfied with the support tool, mast particularly with the Estimated Time of Arival (ETA) function “This tool allows the optimal execution of generators, and you see the specific consumption rates per nautical mile he explains. The ECOmeter is likely to ensure that users become more conscious regarding fuel consumption. indetail 63