The Open Simulation Platform seeks to establish an industry standard open-source digital platform for simulation
The Norwegian Competence Centre (NMK) in Ålesund is a thriving hub of innovation and Rolls-Royce Marine, which is to be acquired by Kongsberg, is just one of the tenants with a presence there, developing exciting technologies to make shipping safer and more efficient.
The Open Simulation Platform (OSP) initiative, which is working toward the creation of an industry-standard open-source digital simulation platform for models and systems is just one example of such an endeavour. Norwegian Solutions visited NMK, where DNV GL principal engineer and project manager for OSP Kristine Bruun Ludvigsen gave more details on the project.
The OSP was established via the signing of a memorandum of understanding at NMK by Rolls-Royce Marine, DNV GL and SINTEF in July 2017. It was officially launched in March 2018, when new partners including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Kongsberg Digital, Vard and Offshore Simulator Centre, which also has a presence at NMK, came on board.
A platform such as the OSP allows so-called digital twins to be built, which are complex complete simulations of vessels and their systems. Such systems are already used in the automobile industry.
The idea is that contributors create virtualised versions of their hardware (for example, a thruster) by gathering performance data from the asset using sensors, Ms Ludvigsen explained. As the digital twin is built from data gathered from the physical asset, it is still compatible with the software used on that, she added. These virtualised versions are the digital twins, and under OSP would be submitted to a central library.
OSP will develop a standardised co-simulation interface that will allow virtualised versions of assets to be simulated together (for example, it would allow a thruster to be simulated alongside the engine that powers it). This will bring together the digital twins into a co-simulation master algorithm, incorporating multiple systems.
Potential uses for digital twins include optimisation, requirement design and type approval during the design phase of a project, integration, testing and acceptance, interface management and certification in the construction phase and change management, troubleshooting, training and classification in the operational phase.
Ms Ludvigsen said that while models and simulation are already widely used, re-use of models between parties – for example, with vendors sharing the models with customers or class societies – was limited due to reluctance to share intellectual property and cyber-security fears. While the goal of the project is to share information and that vendors would supply models of equipment as a matter of course, Ms Ludvigsen explained that vendors who did not want to unnecessarily share sensitive data would have the option of simulating their systems on their own servers and providing the customer with the output data. Vendors can also opt to make models available free or charge a fee to users wishing to access them.
A protoype of the system is already running, simulating a vessel and a DP system conducting a dynamic positioning operation. This prototype uses the cloud to allow teams in different locations to work together to optimise the system design and vessel performance, to verify correct handling of control-system failures for the vessel’s automated positioning system and to vary system changes and their operational impact before they are deployed to the actual vessel.
Rolls-Royce Marine is also using the tool to create a digital twin simulation model that will verify the power and propulsion system modules and their integration via a virtual test setup.
An ideal testbed for autonomous technology
Norway is pushing to win the autonomous shipping race as the testing schedule continues apace for Kongsberg and fertiliser company Yara’s Yara Birkeland, heralded as the world’s first fully electric and autonomous container ship when it was announced last year, due to enter service in 2020.
Yara Birkeland is a 120-TEU open-top container ship with 3,200 dwt. It measures 79.5 m long, 14.8 m wide and has a full draught of 6 m. Its fully electric propulsion system comprises two azimuthing propeller pods, two tunnel thrusters and a 7-9 MWh battery pack. It will have a service speed of 6 knots and a maximum speed of 13 knots. The vessel does not require ballast tanks, instead using the battery pack as permanent ballast.
The sensor package on the vessel includes radar, lidar, AIS and regular and infrared cameras.
It is estimated by Kongsberg that Yara Birkeland will reduce NOx and CO2 emissions by cutting roughly 40,000 diesel-powered truck journeys per year.
The first phase of testing, scheduled for this year, will be manned and the vessel will be fitted with a detachable bridge with manoeuvring and navigation equipment mounted. The vessel is targeted for delivery in Q1 2019 with autonomous testing to take place the same year. Kongsberg and Yara are aiming for the vessel to be fully autonomous in 2020.
As well as reducing emissions, the vessel will result in other efficiencies – explaining the benefits of a crewless design to the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Kongsberg Maritime chief executive Geir Håøy said “Space previously designated for crew can be freed up for more cargo and designed to reduce wind resistance. By designing the hull for optimal energy efficiency, fuel consumption can be reduced significantly.”
When it attains fully autonomous operational status, the vessel will sail between three ports, Herøya, Brevik and Larvik, in southern Norway, remaining within 12 nautical miles of the coast. Three staffed onshore operation and control centres will handle condition and operational monitoring, decision support, surveillance, emergency and exception handling and all safety-related aspects of the vessel’s operation.
The fully autonomous, zero-emissions nature of the project has now been expanded, with Kalmar signing up to provide a digitalised container handling solution consisting of equipment, software and services for the vessel. This will comprise an automated rail-mounted gantry crane (AutoRMG), three FastCharge AutoStrad straddle carriers, a FastCharge charging station and the related automation and safety systems.
“With this agreement, Yara Birkeland is not just the world's first electric and autonomous container vessel; it is the world's first fully digitalised and electric supply chain, with all operations, including loading, unloading and sailing conducted in a fully autonomous manner with zero emissions,” said Yara’s executive vice president of production, Tove Andersen.
And Kongsberg’s autonomous expertise is set to grow further with its acquisition of Rolls-Royce Marine, covering the commercial activities of its parent company, for £500M (US$658M).
Rolls-Royce technologies will bring benefits to Kongsberg’s projects such as Intelligent Awareness, which uses multiple sensors with intelligent software to mitigate against navigational safety risks.
“This deal comes at a time when the maritime industry is at the dawn of a new and exciting era where digital and electrical technologies will transform shipping,” said Rolls-Royce’s president of commercial marine Mikael Makinen, adding “Rolls-Royce has been responsible for leading many of those technological advancements, and with a combination of great people, market-leading technology and a desire by Kongsberg to take this business to the next level, I am sure that this business will prosper in the years to come.”
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