RETROFIT

RETROFITting ships with new technologies for improved overall environmental footprint

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Retrofitting is defined as the installation onboard ships of state-of-the-art or innovative components or systems and could in principle be driven by the need to meet new regulatory standards or by the ship owner interest to upgrade to higher operational standards. Retrofitting should become an established practice in the shipping industry involving the entire value chain and exploring the possibilities that may open to the industry on a continuous basis. To identify worthy retrofitting candidates and select appropriate (green) technologies that can be suitably fitted at minimum cost and lead time, while considering the condition of the particular ship: service profile, remaining life cycle and the governing and expected regulations. The focus points of the project RETROFIT are: - Methods to identify ship candidates for retrofitting; - Methods and tools for simulating the working of various configurations of ship main and auxiliary systems; - Methods and tools for “reverse engineering” enabling to build product models suitable for the retrofitting process; - Methods and tools to control ships energy and emission performance: decision support systems for emission control and energy optimization over the entire service profile; - Design-for-retrofitting methodology based on standardisation and modularisation principles; - Efficient corresponding yard processes for minimum out-of-business time for retrofitting ships.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU project is establishing to develop methods and tools to support retrofitting of ships in operation with new technologies that significantly improve their environmental performance. This will facilitate the retrofitting process, and allow these ships to operate sustainably.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Retrofitting is defined as the installation on-board operational ships of state-of-the-art or innovative components or systems and could in principle be driven by the need to meet new regulatory standards or by the ship owner interest to upgrade to higher operational standards.

The 'Retrofitting ships with new technologies for improved overall environmental footprint' (http://www.retrofit-project.eu (RETROFIT)) project is working out the details. The 14-member project will run from October 2011 to September 2014, and will receive EUR 2.8 million in EU funding. RETROFIT aims to develop methods and tools for the assessment of ships for retrofitting, and to select appropriate green technologies for application. Additional goals include devising methods for simulating various ship systems, enabling suitable product models, and controlling ships' energy and emissions performance. Furthermore, the project will develop a design-for-retrofitting methodology as well as efficient yard processes to minimise time taken to retrofit ships.

The project initially focused on developing a methodology and model for assessing candidate ships. This task involved determining the economic and technical criteria according to which retrofitting would improve a ship's performance, with special reference to environmental regulations. Secondly, RETROFIT developed an assessment model for applying the methodology and interpreting the results, plus a simulator for predicting fuel and emissions performance. The project also developed comprehensive economic assessment tools.

Subsequently, the project developed a methodology for assessing various proposed technologies, which involved collecting information on regulatory frameworks. The project assessed approximately 89 technologies, shortlisting 44. Project members have also begun work on a decision support system. A further task analysed typical shipyard retrofitting scenarios and contexts, and assessed requirements for the retrofitting process simulation tool. Development of the tool is now underway. Finally, the project implemented the necessary communication and dissemination capacity, including regular project updates.

When complete, RETROFIT will have fulfilled its aims to develop a process for assessing ships and candidate technologies for retrofitting. The result will be ships already in operation being given a new, greener working life.