Royston to upgrade performance monitoring system

The £1.5m project, in collaboration with Newcastle University’s School of Marine Science and Technology, aims to develop a new system for whole-vessel energy monitoring and usage.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and maritime activities ensuring compliance with EU and IMO legislation.

Lawrence Brown, managing director of Royston Diesel Power, said: “The project will push boundaries and allow us to develop new methodologies and technologies.”

“The collaboration with Newcastle University is particularly important from a research standpoint and allows the project to benefit the wider marine and academic community as a whole,” he added.

Initially the three year project will focus on developing a new system examining total energy flows and vessel energy architecture for smaller vessels, then moving to larger vessels.

These will be provided by maritime and shipping companies, Svitzer, Topaz and CalMac Ferries who are collaborating on the project.

The system will also focus on the prevention of catastrophic faults and failures through early warning diagnostics.

It is hoped that the proposed whole-vessel system will bring considerable financial benefits both from efficiency savings and by minimising port dues for ships which can demonstrate reduced energy consumption.

Innovate UK is a government agency working with people, companies and partner organisations to help drive science and technology innovations.