WinGD’s holistic approach includes hybrid integration

The paper, titled The X-Act Initiative, outlines WinGD’s development programmes in five areas – advanced engine technologies, core engine development, green technologies, digitalization and integration, and the autonomous engine room. Projects include the latest generation of dual-fuel engine technologies, novel on-engine emission abatement systems, alternative fuel developments and advances in hybrid energy system integration and control software.

In recognition that maritime decarbonisation includes more than engines and fuels, the company has also invested in developing expertise in hybrid power arrangement design and integration. Its first system integration contract is underway for four newbuild car carriers – featuring WinGD’s X-DF dual-fuel LNG engines and batteries – being built for NYK Line.

WinGD’s hybrid system offering includes selecting components and subsystems for any ship configuration and then operating the system optimally via a hybrid control system. A new team has been set up and a proprietary method for virtual prototyping of power arrangements established. As a result, WinGD can now offer power and propulsion arrangements that surpass IMO’s 2030 carbon intensity targets.

Another path towards overall optimisation is opening up for vessels applying air lubrication, states WinGD. Optimisation of the turbocharging system to match both the requirements of the main engine and the air lubrication system may hold potential for maximising overall efficiency, as the associated savings in power required for the blower supplying the air lubrication may outweigh any potential fuel consumption impact on the main engine. This benefit would come on top of the efficiency improvement associated with the reduction of hull resistance.

Dominik Schneiter, Vice President Research & Development, WinGD, said: “To decarbonise shipping at the pace that society demands, we must act immediately and across several areas. A coordinated approach across these efforts maximises the possibility that WinGD’s ecosystem of solutions will deliver the breakthroughs that shipping needs.”

WinGD provides opportunities for rapid decarbonisation and wider emission reduction across its engine portfolio, most notably through the dual-fuel X-DF range. These widely deployed engines are already capable of using carbon-neutral fuels including synthetic and bio-LNG, while the latest X-DF2.0 technologies further improve both methane slip and overall greenhouse gas emissions performance.

The development of ammonia and methanol engine technology is well on track to demonstrate ammonia technology at full scale by 2025 at the latest. The demonstration of a methanol-burning multi-cylinder engine can be realised considerably earlier, by 2024 at the latest. Ammonia or methanol/ethanol-fuelled engines will likewise be available as dual-or tri-fuel engines that have either been designed for their respective fuel application from the outset or by upgrading existing X or X-DF engines.

By closely coordinating across a range of development projects, WinGD aims to maximise the benefit of combining multiple emission reduction measures, helping to minimize shipping’s greenhouse gas impact in line with regulatory targets and societal expectations.

The white paper is available here