By
Alex Smith |
Estonian ferry operator TS Laevad has lowered the fuel consumption and emissions of its fleet by six per cent by installing the Blueflow energy management system, developed by energy control solution supplier DEIF, onboard its four ships.
TS Laevead operates two ferry routes in western Estonia, from Virtsu to Kuivastu and between Rohuküla and Heltermaa. The routes are in a sensitive maritime area which is subject to special protections under the European Natura 2000 convention, leading the ferry operator to test the Blueflow system onboard the ships in its fleet to reduce its environmental footprint.
The Blueflow system monitors and analyses energy consumption onboard the ships, showing the crew how much energy is being used for propulsion, navigation, hotel loads and other onboard consumers. The system also factors in wind speed, direction, depth, vessel speed and course, providing an overview of the correlations between energy use, current sailing conditions and crew actions. This information can be used to suggest actions that could reduce energy consumption.
“We decided to use the Piret as pilot ship for a six-month Blueflow test project before deciding if we wanted to install the system on its sister vessels,” said Guldar Kivro, member of the board and manager of shipping operations at TS Laevad. “After four months, it was clear that the payback period for the Blueflow installation was less than a year.”
TS Laevead then installed Blueflow on its other three ferries and expanded the basic installation to include more modules and a monitoring station in the engine control room. This resulted in a six per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared to a six-month period without the system.
The operator was also able to use the data produced by the Blueflow system to optimise its preventative maintenance schedule by comparing vessel propulsion energy consumption data between sister vessels on the same route. On ships where hull cleaning was delayed, the thrusters used 20 per cent more energy to keep the ferry on schedule. The data has also been used in design and planning, helping to plan battery capacity and propulsion systems for a new electric ferry.
“Direct feedback and good reporting and analysis tools lead to better performance of the crew and vessel,” said Virgo Saul, technical solutions manager at TS Laevad. “Better performance leads to lower fuel consumption and emissions. And lower fuel consumption and emissions lead to better economical results and a greener environment.”