Novel Alternative Approaches to Vessel Propulsion SystemsCopy Link

Novel Alternative Approaches to Vessel Propulsion Systems The EnSiX challenge competition, delivered by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), is supporting Associated British Ports in identifying innovative solutions to significant challenges relating to Energy Systems that will lead to environmentally sustainable innovations being implemented across the business. The winning business(es) in this competition will be given a commercial opportunity to deliver their solution and receive support from Associated British Ports.

Background 

The Innovation Exchange programme is working alongside Associated British Ports (ABP) to assist them in reaching out to innovators to help them solve a significant challenge they are trying to overcome in relation to energy systems and the conversion of site equipment to environmentally future-proofed sustainable solutions. ABP are looking to identify transferable solutions to its innovation needs.

Shipping, ports and logistics is a critical part of international import and export markets and supports the global distribution of goods. Concerns and legislative requirements about climate change and local air quality impacts require the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping and ports sector. It means that the industry must prepare for the new future.

ABP is the UK's leading port operator with a network of 21 ports across BritainABP handles around one-quarter of the nation's seaborne trade, contributing £7.5 billion to the economy every year and supporting 119,000 jobs. ABP also operates one of the UK's busiest rail terminals at Hams Hall in the Midlands.

Challenge 1: Novel Alternative Approaches to Vessel Propulsion Systems

ABP are keen to explore vessel performance optimisation (VPO) across their fleet to use resources more effectively, decrease fuel consumption and emissions, and create safer, less wasteful operations. It is important for ABP to develop their equipment towards a greener option which doesn’t involve replacing all existing equipment but reduces and improves existing equipment’s green credibility to meet a target of ‘zero Carbon’ for 2050. 
 

Rationale:

1. Increased focus on port related air quality and emissions
2. Rising fuel costs as a result of the escalating price of oil. 
3. Environmental regulations introduced to mitigate the effects of climate change. 
4. The potential introduction of carbon taxes.  
5. Zero carbon for 2050 - city regions advancing the clean air targets.
   

ABP are actively looking for solutions that will;

1. Lower the energy consumption
2. Reduce fuel use
3. Reduce emissions
   

The type of propulsion system used in marine vessels depends on several factors such as speed, power, ship type, nature of operations etc. ABP has a very diverse asset base, comprising, in summary:

• 6 dredging and buoy handling vessels
• 20 Harbour launches and pilot vessels
• 6 Dredgers
  

Current Fuel Consumption and costs 

Port patrol, Pilot and Survey Vessels – ~ 2.25 million litres p.a. (small pilot vessels mostly, except chartered vessel MV Ayress approx. `110,000 litres p.a), > £3m paUK Dredging – dredgers – ~ 5 million litres p.a. (Marine gas oil 10ppm Sulphur), >£2m pa

Optimising current use or adapting new approaches will, therefore, create significant advantages from an environmental and cost basis. 

• Whilst not limiting the technologies from solution providers, it is expected that solutions would consider innovations from some of the following areas but will not consider solutions that involve replacement of large capital equipment in a new for old process:
• Alternative fuels 
• Wind turbines
• Photovoltaic solar modules including solar thermal
• Hydrogen fuel cells
• Hybrid approaches
• New engine design/modifications
• Batteries
• Fuel cells
• Hydrogen
• Engine management and telemetry
• Energy management with alternatives for on ship workings
• Flywheel tech
• Other regenerative technologies

Rewards and benefits

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to the Challenger. The package may also include:

• Support from the Catapult networks and the KTN
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
• Technical support
• Invitation to attend or present at KTN or Catapult events
• A potential business collaboration
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)

Solution Requirements

Functional Requirements:    

• Manoeuvrability can’t be compromised by any solutions proposed.
• Solutions must be retrofit for a wide range of different sized engines.
• The Pilot and Harbour Patrol launches are generally truck engines e.g. https://www.scania.com/content...

Technical Characteristics:   

• Pilot and Harbour Patrol launches are generally truck engines e.g. https://www.scania.com/content...
• The UKD fleet for dredgers is detailed here http://www.ukdredging.co.uk/  All modifications to vessels must be designed and built so as to comply with all Statutory Regulations, guidance and appropriate Codes of Practice and in particular The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 1998 
• Vessel modifications shall be designed and built in accordance with all relevant English legislation and Health and Safety Legislation and current best practice and 'normalised' European Standards or British Standards. Appropriate certificates and approvals to be obtained and issued with final documentation.
• Vessel modifications must be constructed under the rules of Lloyds Classification, Bureau Veritas or equivalent and certificates issued to the satisfaction of the MCA or other certifying authority.

Operating Conditions:

The vessel modifications must be certified to operate in UK Category 3 waters.

• Suitable for extreme maritime conditions
• Operated 24/7
• 365 days a year

Deployment Timescales:          Launch of the Competition: 2^nd September 2019

                                                Deadline for applications: 31^st October 2019

                                                Selection and notification of finalists: TBA

Solutions should be:

• Fully deployable for prototype for testing within 9- 12 months of competition win.
• Full commercial deployment by the end of 2025 (there are operational sites that a solution could start work on immediately if the system is already commercially available).

Cost requirement and market opportunity

• All solutions will be viewed with potential payback in the first year of use, as the fuel bill for vessels is significant (£>3m for UKD and £>2m for Port vessels) is significant, both return on investment and reduction in carbon will be carefully considered.
• Investment will be in proportion to the saving.

Eligibility and assessment criteria

Entrants to this competition must be:

1. Established businesses, start-ups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs
2. UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base

Applications will be assessed on:

• Relevance to the topic
• Innovative nature of the subject
• Coherence of the proposed business model
• Feasibility/ economic viability. ROI
• Development potential
• Maturity of project/solution
• Ability to launch project quickly/Ease of implementation
• Price/quality ratio
• Suitability for the UK and European Market

IP and Potential Commercial Route

• Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s). Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Any commercial deployment of transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. This would be at the point of business engagement; pitches would expect to have key IP information removed and performance improvement described.
• Innovate UK and KTN do not take any share of IP ownership or enter into commercial venture through the EnSiX programme.