ABB Generations invited Johansen to assess how the widely recognized demand or energy efficiency within commercial shipping is affecting the naval domain and government decision-makers. "The gains in operational energy efficiency that modern power and propulsion systems bring should be a key priority in procurement processes. We see a growing desire for change, and the technology and competence to facilitate it are available right now. Strategic purchasing needs to recognize this," he says.
Lowering the carbon footprint
Higher efficiency clearly reduces environmental impact. "We must do all we can to protect the planet, not least in maritime," Johansen says. "Some may feel this is not a role for navies, but I believe it goes hand in hand with the core mission of most militaries to protect our way of life. In view of the direct adverse impacts of climate change, including environment-related migration, this should not come at the continued expense of the planet. Navy and coast guard vessels must of course maintain and enhance their mission capabilities, but in terms of efficiency they should be able to transit, loiter, and train in line with the standards expected of commercial operators."
As a taxpayer myself, I want those responsible to get the most out of my tax contribution to our Navy, but at the same time I want the Navy to have the best capabilities money can buy. This doesn’t need to be a choice; with the right solution you can have the best of both.
Johansen highlights that energy-efficient power and propulsion systems – enabled through the use of variable-speed generators and optimized diesel-engine configuration, in combination with alternative energy sources such as batteries and fuel cells – typically have lower or even zero emissions compared to traditional power setups, ushering in a new era of decarbonized operations.
Lower fuel consumption and higher overall system performance are the main benefits. "By applying advanced technologies and design principles we can use the power plant more effectively and thus minimize energy losses. At the same time, smart designs combined with advanced power and energy management have equal and potentially even more operational capabilities, including new large, pulsed demands."
Holistic thinking saves money
Although the initial investment for energy-efficient power and propulsion systems may be slightly higher than conventional AC solutionsthe long-term savings from reduced fuel consumption achieves an acceptable balance. "Reduced running hours also mean a reduction in maintenance costs over time, which is an important cost point that is often overlooked," Johansen says.
Some countries are leading the way and setting a good example, he adds, but there are still too many examples of a "race to the bottom" mindset where the cheapest offer wins despite the solution being suboptimal. "Much more attention should be paid to through-life operational efficiencies, OPEX, serviceability, vessel availability and flexibility, and impact on the environment. It is important for both governments and private shipping companies, who value their license to operate and the value of every penny spent across the life of a vessel, to advocate for this approach."
This new strategy is also beneficial for taxpayers. "As a taxpayer myself, I want those responsible to get the most out of my tax contribution to our Navy, but at the same time I want the Navy to have the best capabilities money can buy. This doesn’t need to be a choice; with the right solution you can have the best of both," Johansen says.
Future energy – readiness and power system selection
Adopting energy-efficient power and propulsion also promotes energy independence by future-proofing power input and distribution for new energy sources as the world comes to rely less on fossil fuels. These are predominantly based on Direct Current (DC), so implementing modern onboard DC grids provides readiness for these future systems, negating the need for intrusive and expensive power-electronics upgrade paths. "DC systems also offer considerable benefits over Alternating Current (AC) configurations, which require more bulky and numerous components taking up space and needing more maintenance," says Johansen.
Outlining the key considerations that naval purchasers need to assess when selecting a power system to optimize adaptable mission demands for a given platform, he says: "As engineers with a predominantly commercial background, we need input from the users to design the optimal electrical system. This is a very important part of the process. Investigating the vessel's operational profile is the starting point to make the best system. These parameters include power demands, duration, mobility needs, and special factors such as environmental constraints.”
Depending on mission duration and availability of power sources, energy storage is also becoming an increasingly important element of new solutions. "We need to evaluate different energy storage system options, such as batteries of varying chemistries or, potentially, fuel cells as they reach an increased level of technology readiness. Critical factors include energy density, rechargeability, safety, and lifespan," Johansen says.
"We also need to assess the available power source options, which must align with both mission constraints and requirements. For example, the need to run in silent mode or on pure battery power may require additional storage capacity to serve the required loads."
In terms of power system efficiency, the more electrical conversion steps can be minimized, the less losses there will be. "Efficiency is crucial in adaptable missions to optimize resource utilization and minimize fuel resupply needs. Power systems that offer high efficiency and low fuel consumption will extend mission duration and reduce logistical burdens," Johansen adds.
Adaptable missions can require the ability to scale up or down the power system based on changing requirements. Designing power systems that offer scalability and modularity allows for easy integration of additional power sources or load components when needed.
Mission criticality and reliability are additional important factors. "When evaluating reliability, factors like failure rates, maintenance requirements, and the availability of backup and system redundancy should be considered together with the specific needs and constraints of your mission and the platform," Johansen points out.
Meanwhile, the desire for platform flexibility is gaining momentum with the increasing adoption of multi-role capabilities. "Now more than ever this is enabled by the capability of the power and propulsion plant. To achieve this, end-users should be required to interact not only with the yard and Tier One suppliers – the major engine manufacturers – but also with industrial partners supplying critical systems that have the required knowledge of technology," says Johansen. "Today, naval procurement rules often don’t allow this when it would be most useful, but I hope that will change."
We believe many navy and coast guard vessels could benefit a lot from proven technologies that are already widely adopted, used and proven by the commercial sector
Benefits of partnering with OEMs
Johansen believes partnering with an OEM for electrical design and integration is particularly valuable: "Renowned OEMs have a proven track record and deep experience in electrical design and integration. They have likely honed their skills on numerous complex projects over time allowing them to provide the most effective solutions."
OEMs also have rigorous quality-control processes in place to ensure the highest standards. "They have no choice but to adhere to industry best practices and standards in order to minimize risk. Choosing an OEM with a reputation for quality assurance gives you confidence that your systems will perform optimally."
Established OEMs invest heavily in R&D to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, typically with access to the latest tools, software, and equipment for electrical design and integration. Leveraging this base can result in enhanced energy efficiency as well as functionality. "We believe many navy and coast guard vessels could benefit a lot from proven technologies that are already widely adopted, used and proven by the commercial sector. The process of ruggedizing these for naval applications bridges this gap in a cost-effective manner, benefitting from reduced development time and – certainly in the case of ABB – a global service infrastructure," Johansen says.
Strong ecosystem relationships
Furthermore, OEMs typically have well-established links with suppliers and manufacturers. "This is very important especially given uncertainties related to supply chains, with periodic bottlenecks, shortages, and price fluctuations. Having scale and the resulting buying power helps protect customers and programs," Johansen notes.
Another important consideration is the need for global support and maintenance. "The return-to-base maintenance concept is being augmented for global supportability. A trusted OEM with service centers, parts in stock, and engineering competence around the world provides not only the required service network, but is also able to implement remote support capabilities at pace. This eases the burden on onboard maintenance crews while increasing platform availability," says Johansen.
Another core competence of any large OEM is obsolescence and lifecycle management. "It is imperative for large electrical OEMs that work across industrial sectors, selling tens of thousands of drives, motors, and breakers, to proactively plan for the future, following standards and in turn supporting their customers through the vessel lifecycle," he adds.
Finally, trusted OEMs have built their reputation on delivering successful projects and meeting customer expectations. "Working with an organization that is committed to quality instils confidence for key stakeholders. Established OEMs have the required depth of resources to deal with possible challenges. There's a simple reason why commercial shipowners select reputable OEMs and that's because we reduce their risk and keep them at sea longer, supporting their profitability. The same is true for navies, just substitute profitability with mission capability," Johansen says.
In conclusion, Johansen reiterates the growing desire for energy efficiency among naval stakeholders. "These kinds of projects of course take time to mature. The time spent taking a deep dive into the possible solutions and simulating outcomes helps optimize designs. At ABB, we have been delivering top-rated power and propulsion solutions to commercial shipping and coastguard fleets for decades and have a lot to contribute to the naval sphere, too. I am confident that more of these efficient designs will be realized in the coming years."
