Development of sustainable low-energy cabins for the shipbuilding industry
Duration: April 2019 until October 2022
Funded by: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
Project Participants: Institute of Networked Energy Systems MEYER WERFT GmbH & Co.KG (Project coordinator) Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH MAC Hamburg GmbH Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Project Manager at the Institute of Networked Energy Systems: Dr. Patrick Schwager
Project Description: 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 is making 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 are also being identified that correspond with the cradle-to-cradle principle, i.e. a circular process whereby natural materials can be used and sustainably recycled.
The Institute of Networked Energy Systems is focusing 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 is 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 is 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.