A Case Study on Sustainable Energy Use from Ballast Water Management System in Transport Vessels

Abstract

A ballast water management system (BWMS) is an essential module that is directly influential for navigation efficiencies and safety for vessel operations. The net function of the BWMS is to maintain the stability of vessels. This study examines the possibility and applicability of self-generating power from the BWMS for sustainable energy use in vessels. The data from the CX0809 vessel which is a Panamax class bulk carrier between July 2020 and March 2022 were used for analysing the power generation volume. An in-pipe hydroelectric system that adopts a deflector and Savonius turbine was introduced at the location where ballast water (BW) flows in the same direction during ballasting and deballasting. Then, hydroelectric analysis was performed under the geometric condition setting. According to the research findings, the production range of electricity was 863 - 4090 kW/h and 1256 - 4744 kW/h, during ballasting and deballasting, respectively. There were some variations depending on the BWMS operational characteristics and time duration. Finally, this study proposes a new approach for expanding the applicability of BWMS to the power generation sector to improve vessel energy efficiency with environmental and vessel-operation terms. The conceptual approach for renewable energy production in this study contributes to advancing eco-friendly bulk shipping.

Keywords

• ballast water management system
• bulk shipping
• eco-friendly vessel
• self-generating power