Comprehensive analysis for assessing the renewable energy integration on a research ship vessel in India

Abstract

Using onboard renewable energy resources, marine fuel consumption can be optimised to yield emission reduction and fuel cost savings. This paper proposes a methodology for accurate assessment of integrating PV and energy storage to a marine Indian TARA research vessel. This Indian vessel has only diesel generation and batteries to meet propeller demands, lighting and communication loads. In this paper, the net system is estimated with solar PV for minimising carbon emissions. The installation of solar PV in maximum available space in research vessel is estimated considering the panel dimensions and actual demand profile of vessel is analysed for integrating solar PV and battery systems. A novel method is adopted for estimating annual vessel-demand and PV-power generation. Using demand and generation data, the onboard fuel consumption is optimised using PV and battery by an optimal dispatch scheme that includes a Minimum Generator Operation with N-1 safety constraint. The fuel savings after integration of solar PV and battery in vessel are analysed, and net present value and cost to emission savings after renewable energy integration are studied considering real-time load profile and vessel movement. Finally, based on optimal dispatch results, factors that affect fuel savings are examined and overall investigation findings are summarised.

KEYWORDS:

• Marine power system
• renewable energy
• optimal scheduling
• economic analysis

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the National Institute of Ocean Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences for their support in this research study. The authors thank the facilities provided by NC State University and NI Academy and Research Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology for carrying out this research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).