Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2012)

When talk turns to the U.S. Navy and its operations, perhaps not the first thought that comes to mind is energy concservation. Perhaps it should.The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) installed the Energy Dash- board proof-of-concept system in USSKidd (DDG 100), April 2, 2012, and En- ergy Dashboard is just one ? but a very significant one ? of several shipboard en- ergy efficiency initiatives that provides U.S. Navy sailors with a real-time as- sessment of energy usage and recom- mended actions to reduce fuel andelectrical power consumption. ?Energy Dashboard is similar to the systems in today?s newer vehicles that show drivers their instantaneous miles per gallon, allowing drivers to modify their driving behaviors to maximize fuel efficiency,? said Glen Sturtevant, Team Ships director for Science and Technol- ogy. ?Energy Dashboard ties into other shipboard computer software systems to tell sailors the same thing about theirship.? In addition to Kidd, NAVSEA has in- stalled the Energy Dashboard on USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) will receive the system by August. The new Dashboard uses the existing Integrated Condition Assessment System to collect data from shipboard equipment,calculate and display instantaneous anddaily energy consumption rates. ?Energy Dashboard will raise ship- board situational awareness of how cer- tain engineering plant line-ups andequipment affect fuel consumption rates, and will build ownership in energy con- servation efforts by showing how the ac- tions instantly and dramatically affect consumption rates,? said Bob Steele, di- rector, Fleet Readiness Engineering Of- fice. Energy Dashboard is anticipated to be fielded in all surface ships by 2017. SVPDA Displays Alternate Course Simultaneously, the Navy is developing a computer software application that will be used by Fleet weather centers to pushoptimized routes to Navy ships for safety and a fuel savings of more than 370,000 barrels annually, another major plank in the push to reduce fuel use and environ- mental impact.Naval Sea Systems Command and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Com- mand awarded a $1.4 million contract, April 5, to DRS Training and Control Systems for the Smart Voyage Planning Decision Aid, or SVPDA, proof-of- concept."This type of capability is used exten- sively in commercial shipping to identify fuel-efficient routing for cost savings," said Sturtevant, Team Ships Science and Technology director. "SVPDA will pro- vide real-time information to avoid in- clement weather where excess fuel would be consumed to maintain a prescribedcourse and stabilize the ship, while tak-ing advantage of wind, waves and cur- rents where fuel usage can be reduced."SVPDA also uses ship-specific hydro- dynamic and propulsion data to create themost fuel-efficient route for that hull form. "The Fleet still has the option ofselecting a non-fuel efficient course to ensure operational security, but SVPDA allows them to choose this fuel-optimized route when operations permit," said Tom Martin, NAVSEA Energy Office techni- cal director. Once implemented throughout theFleet, SVPDA is anticipated to reduce fuel consumption by a minimum of fourpercent, or 373,000 barrels per year. SVPDA is one of several shipboard en- ergy efficiency initiatives the Navy is ex- ploring to reduce Fleet fuel consumptionand ensure energy security. Nine New Shipbuilding Efficiency Items Collaboration between the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and industry have identified potential savings in the shipbuilding process and support a pilot project to pri-oritize efficiency efforts that could be im- plemented this year. Rear Adm. Thomas Eccles, Naval Sea Systems Command chief engineer and deputy commanderfor Naval Systems Engineering, issued a letter to shipbuilders, April 2, approving nine potential cost-saving efficiencies. "Based upon the work of the four 'Spec- ification Cost Reduction' working 40Maritime Reporter & Engineering News The Energy Dashboard Helping the U.S. Navy Fleet Reduce Fuel ConsumptionEnergy Dashboard is one of several shipboard energy efficiency initiatives that provides sailors with a real-time assessment of energy usage and recom- mended actions to reduce fuel and electrical power consumption. MR May 12 # 5 (34-41):MR Template 5/7/2012 2:48 PM Page 40