Shipping energy efficiency: dynamic model validation of an existing cruise ship through measured data

In order to meet the environmental targets imposed by 2050, new high-efficiency technologies and innovative control strategies are considered to improve energy system performances. Proper design of new or existing energy system is therefore crucial, considering the variability of the boundary conditions (weather data files, energy needs, temperature levels, etc.). A number of energy system layouts could be considered for energy consumption reduction aims on board ships by varying the plant complexity as well as by considering multiple-technology operations and climate conditions. To this aim, a suitable dynamic simulation model for assessing the ship-plant energy, economic and environmental impact performance is developed. Specifically, it is based on the interaction of several software and on the exploitation of dynamic simulation approach. Here, thermal zoning analysis is conducted to assess heating and cooling loads and demands of the ship-plant system by taking into consideration different energy saving technologies and strategies. By the proposed model the energy behaviour of ships energy systems, as well as for reaching optimal system configurations with different objective functions can be analysed. To assess the reliability of the developed simulation tool a real case study, referred to an existing cruise ship – Allure of The Seas – is considered. Specifically, a validation procedure was carried out by comparing measured data gained on board of the ship to the simulation results by achieving very small deviation and root-mean-square errors. Finally, elaborated simulated results are also presented.