The concrete outputs of the project are the following:
- Market entry plan and needed marketing material,
- Providing interfaces between modules related to thruster concept,
- Reduced total costs for the modular propulsion solution,
- Increase of efficiency by 10% of the propulsion solution in the actual operational profile,
- Robust operation of the propulsion solution,
- Low underwater noise levels of the propulsion solution, and
- A demonstrator to highlight the benefits of the modular propulsion solution.
Research topics concentrated on four main factors affecting the design: hydrodynamic optimization, ice loads, underwater radiated noise (URN), and operation optimization.
- Designs were validated with hydrodynamic and model tests for the thruster unit and the concept vessel.
- Experiments on ice loads were conducted to validate the impact loads on the thrusters.
- URN models were developed to cover the cavitating propeller source and acoustics noise propagation modelling.
- Simulation platform for operation optimization was developed. Ship EMS can be optimized in realistic operating conditions by combining ship manoeuvering simulator with energy system simulator. Interface to integrate two simulators in different locations was developed.
- Public ice-class thruster unit which can be utilized as a benchmark case was developed.