Siemens and Østensjø Rederi have developed a new diesel-electric propulsion system that uses less fuel and will set new environmental standards for offshore vessels. The new system will reduce NOx and emissions of greenhouse gases, more than today’s systems using gas operation.

The system will be installed in a new supply ship that Østensjø Rederi is building, and will be the first ship in the world with the new innovative propulsion system.

Ketil Aagesen sales manager at Siemens said: “Last year, Østensjø Rederi approached us with a request to create a completely new and innovative propulsion system for the shipping industry.

“The objective was to reduce fuel consumption and significantly reduce environmental emissions. Their ambitious environmental concept ‘Mindset’ matched our own plans in this area. Now we have succeeded and the new solution sets a new international standard in terms of energy consumption and environmental friendliness.”

The new ship will be completed in September 2013, and the new diesel-electric propulsion concept will be presented at Nor-Shipping exhibition in late May this year.

The new concept combines the Østensjø Rederi environmental concept “Mindset” with a new diesel-electric technology developed by Siemens in Trondheim. The system will be an alternative to more expensive solutions for offshore service vessels such as propulsion solutions based on gas driven engines.

The new system takes into account a realistic operational profile for offshore vessels with variable and often low engine loads which have often previously been disregarded as low engine loads have unfavorable energy consumption and emission data.

– We have had a very successful collaboration with Siemens says Assistant Managing Director, Kenneth Walland, of Østensjø Rederi. Together we have come up with a solution that gives us three benefits in one. Firstly, the investment is Nok 50 million lower compared to the gas operation as an alternative propulsion technology; secondly, it reduces fuel consumption; and last but not least, we get a ship that is world class so far as the environment goes.

Reduced fuel consumption

The new solution optimizes the operation of the vessel in a new and comprehensive manner. Innovation and development of the diesel-electric system makes this possible. The solution will, for an offshore vessel, reduce the total energy consumption by 15 percent compared with today’s solutions with diesel electric propulsion systems. Compared to gas/dual fuel operations the energy savings is 23 percent.

Significant reduction of greenhouse gases

Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute in Trondheim, which is part of the SINTEF Group, was commissioned by Siemens and Østensjø Rederi to verify the environmental effects of the new solution, and the results are encouraging.

The total emissions of NOx and greenhouse gases for the new vessel is lower than for other comparable vessels with diesel or gas operations. Compared with gas-powered (dual fuel) offshore vessels with the same operating profile and which will be granted CO2 fee exemption as a result of their environmental profile, the calculations show a total of 27% lower emissions of greenhouse gases.

– Through our own concept MINDSET the company’s environmental initiative is essential. Therefore, we are very pleased that we, together with Siemens have succeeded in developing a solution that will be best in the industry says, Kenneth Walland.