Patent ID: 9128483
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B63B,G01C,G05D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling energy consumption in a marine vessel which has a plurality of energy consuming users and fuel consuming engines, wherein the energy consuming users and the fuel consuming engines are divided into at least first and second user groups each user group having their own energy demands and energy characteristics, wherein the first user group comprises propulsion or steering devices and the fuel consuming engines, and the second user group comprises non-propulsion devices, the method comprising: planning a route for the marine vessel considering one or more of: weather forecast, sea currents, and sea depths by calculating at least external forces the marine vessel will face on the route; estimating energy consumption for each user group based on the route; predicting energy consumption for each user group based on the estimated energy consumption and considering one or more of: fuel type, fuel price, emission targets, and efficiency of each consumer; managing an energy balance between the user groups during the route by continuously updating the predicted energy consumption for the first and second user groups and inputting the updated predicted energy consumption into an operational mode configured to optimize operational conditions of the marine vessel; and load shedding of at least one of the non-propulsion devices of the second user group based on the predicted energy consumption of the first and second user groups, and wherein the load shedding occurs before power demand increases such that energy from the second user group can be stored during the load shedding.