- Alessandro Iafrati, CNR-INM Director
- alessandro.iafrati@cnr.it
- Ship retrofitting is a vital process wherein existing vessels undergo modifications and upgrades to enhance their performance, efficiency, and compliance with evolving industry standards. This practice addresses technological advancements, safety requirements, and environmental regulations. Retrofitting often involves installing modern navigation systems, upgrading propulsion systems for fuel efficiency, or integrating advanced communication technologies. Additionally, retrofitting can extend a ship's operational life and adapt it to new roles or functions. As maritime industries strive for sustainability, retrofitting also plays a crucial role in implementing eco-friendly solutions, such as ballast water treatment systems and emission reduction technologies, contributing to a more environmentally conscious and efficient fleet.
- Boris Jacob, CNR-INM
- boris.jacob@cnr.it
- Biomimetic coatings for minimizing ship hull resistance draw inspiration from nature's efficiency. These coatings emulate the microtextures found on marine organisms, such as sharks and dolphins, to reduce drag and enhance hydrodynamic performance. By replicating nature's evolved designs, these coatings create a smoother surface, discouraging the attachment of marine organisms like barnacles and algae. This not only decreases fuel consumption and operational costs but also reduces environmental impact by lowering emissions. The biomimetic approach aligns with sustainable practices in the maritime industry, offering a promising avenue for improving ship efficiency, maneuverability, and overall performance while minimizing the ecological footprint.
- Maria Carmela Di Piazza, CNR INM
- mariacarmela.dipiazza@cnr.it
- Requirements on pollutant emissions and energy efficiency are the basis for the ongoing transition of the current shipboard power systems (SPSs) to more advantageous configurations. Among the most promising technical solutions, with the potential to enable the evolution toward more efficient and sustainable SPSs, there are: the use of energy low-emission power sources on board (e.g., based on fuel cells and energy storage systems); the use of direct current (DC) electrical distribution systems, relying on a massive use of power electronics; the implementation of control techniques for increasing energy efficiency in electrical machines/drives on board; the use of suitable Energy Management Systems (EMSs) to optimize the operation of SPSs. This talk presets an overview of the above solutions.
- Alessia Lucarelli, CNR-INM
- alessia.lucarelli@inm.cnr.it
- The Energy Archipelago is a groundbreaking concept for Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in the Mediterranean Sea (Med Sea). It involves creating a marine-based floating artificial archipelago where various MRE sources, such as offshore wind and solar power, are combined. One possibility is to produce liquid methanol fuel through the catalytic reaction of H2O and CO2, while also providing fresh water through seawater desalination. Energy surplus is efficiently stored using suitable buoyant systems. Apart from the MRE harvesting and storage systems, the Energy Archipelago incorporates productive activities like fishing farms and aquaculture. These activities require electrical power for services and technical operations, making them complementary to the overall concept of the Energy Archipelago. The integration of various renewable energy sources and productive activities marks an innovative approach to sustainable energy production and resource utilization in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Luca Greco, CNR-INM
- luca.greco@cnr.it
- Maritime shipping accounts for 3% of all global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Policies to regulate emissions from ocean fleets are currently being developed (e.g. Emission Control Areas, ECAs) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is formulating strategies to reduce GHG emissions from ships. This talk will briefly introduce the most promising technologies based on the use of renewable energy sources to assist ships propulsion. Pros and cons of state-of-the-art technologies are described along with the main scientific and technical challenges.
- Fabrizio Ortolani, CNR-INM
- fabrizio.ortolani@cnr.it
- This intervention introduces cutting-edge propulsion technologies to the maritime sector, offering cleaner and more efficient alternatives to traditional propulsion systems. By leveraging innovations like electric propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells, and advanced hybrid solutions, ships can significantly reduce emissions while maintaining performance. This initiative marks a pivotal step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the maritime industry.
- Angelo Odetti, CNR-INM
- angelo.odetti@cnr.it
- This presentation explores the synergistic relationship between AI, robotics, and their impact on reducing CO2 emissions in maritime shipping. It delves into the role of AI in optimizing efficiency, the significance of weather routing for fuel consumption reduction, and the contribution of robotics and autonomous ships in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in maritime sector. The presentation also emphasizes the importance of considering the value of natural capital in economic decision-making. Ultimately, it highlights the potential of these technologies and practices to drive sustainability and shape the future of the maritime sector while informing economic choices.
- Riccardo Pellegrini, CNR-INM
- riccardo.pellegrini@cnr.it
- The presentation provides a very general overview about the Digital Design (DD) in the ship design context. The origin of the DD is described and its framework presented. The main components of the DD framework are discussed, highlighting the choices that a designer should make when using a DD approach. Finally, for each component of the DD some research topics are mentioned.