Design and evaluation of ship's power plants

The cruise industry is host to major changes in the way the skip's power plants are configured. Diesel-electric propulsion has replaced most diesel-mechanic systems for larger ships. Podded propulsion is making serious headway and gas turbines are currently under order. In future, fuel cells, permanent magnefiechnology and novel propulsion systems may appear. The cost/benefit analysis of the alternatives offered is pivotal for making the right decisions. The mission profile of the ship, its sailing schedule and the multitude of parameters describing the power plant heavily influence the outcome of this analysis. Various decision criteria are involved such as risk appraisal, economic considerations and measures of flexibility. In the early project stage yard and owner need to be able to design, analyse and evaluate the various solutions quickly and effectively. Preferably such a process would also include experience gathered with other ships. This paper will describe in some detail the toot developed for this purpose. It will dwell on the modelling of power plant components and their interactions. A method will be presented to configure, design and evaluate the entire system, not only in technical but also in economic and strategic parameters. Several technologies will be concisely dealt with, existing as well as planned, and the potential impact of these will be touched upon. Finally the methodology will be applied to the case of a hypothetical cruise ship. Various power plant implementations will be discussed and the implications for future development will be mentioned.