Integration of the methanol power propulsion and energy systems’ temporal uncertainties in a Markov decision process framework

Conference paper (2024)

Authors

A.S.R. Souflis-Rigas Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.F.J. Pruyn Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
A.A. Kana Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Ship Design, Production and Operations (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2024

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Marine and Transport Technology

Research Group

Ship Design, Production and Operations

Abstract

The ongoing technological development of methanol energy converters (EC) towards decarbonization means that their dimensions and performance characteristics will be continually updated during the lifecycle of vessels currently designed. These advancements influence the ease of EC integration within the general arrangement of the vessel. The decision to switch from an internal combustion engine to a fuel cell or a hybrid configuration depends both (1) the technology adoption costs (i.e. CAPEX, OPEX) of the EC and (2)
on the effect of EC on the actual engine room layout. The state-of-the-art literature has typically addressed these two challenges separately. This study proposes a design method to bridge these two fields by combining the use of (1) Markov decision processes to assess uncertain future methanol EC developments during the vessel lifecycle and (2) a generative probabilistic layout algorithm to quantify the risks associated with the EC systems layout integration. The case study identifies the drivers behind the EC technology choice during the lifecycle of a notional yacht vessel.