Research project EcoCab

Development of sustainable low-energy cabins for the shipbuilding industry

Credit:

BMWE

A significant proportion of the materials used and energy consumed on cruise ships is due to the large number of passenger cabins. Each individual ship is fitted with 3,000 or more cabins. By developing innovative concepts and technical solutions for ship cabins, the EcoCab project made an important contribution towards planning a holistic strategy aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability throughout the shipbuilding industry. This includes both the development of new electrical power plants based on renewable energies as well as concepts for a fully decentralised air-conditioning system for each individual cabin. Alternative materials were also identified that correspond with the cradle-to-cradle principle, i.e. a circular process whereby natural materials can be used and sustainably recycled.

Research project EcoCab

 

Duration

April 2019 until March 2022

Funded by

German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Project participants

  • DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems
  • MEYER WERFT GmbH & Co.KG
  • Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik
  • EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH
  • MAC Hamburg GmbH
  • Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

associated:

  • EMS PreCab GmbH
  • Lloyd’s Register EMEA

The Institute of Networked Energy Systems focused on two main areas in the joint the EcoCab project. One area is the holistic evaluation of newly developed ship cabin concepts and technologies based on economic, ecological and social aspects. The aim here was to identify where they could be optimised compared to conventional technologies. First of all, the concept of sustainability in the shipbuilding industry will be defined more clearly and the relevant evaluation criteria will be derived. Another aim was to implement a new electrical cabin network that addresses three relevant points with its components, topology and management. These are increased efficiency, the integration of photovoltaics for enhanced self-sufficiency, and improved stability of the power grid through the integration of electrical storage devices.

Research groups and challenges related to the EcoCab project:

Research group

Sector Integration – Buildings

The Sector Integration – Buildings group supports the energy transition by developing and validating elements of technical building equipment. In particular, we look at heat supply systems and the operation of their components in a realistic system environment.

Challenge

Market design and business cases

From an economic perspective, our energy system consists of various energy markets. The design of these markets contains key levers that can be used to constructively shape the transformation process for the further course of energy transition.

Contact

Sector Integration – Buildings

Research Group
Institute of Networked Energy Systems