Wiktor Wise
Cruise ships are enormous vessels that require a lot of power to run the machinery and systems on board. While fossil fuel-powered engines are still widely used, cruise ships are increasingly adopting more eco-friendly power systems. The most common power system is diesel-electric propulsion, where big diesel engines produce electricity for propulsion and general ship needs.
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Diesel-electric propulsion
In a diesel-electric system, multiple diesel engines drive electric generators to produce the electricity that powers the electric motors connected to the propellers, as well as other electrical loads on the ship. This is in contrast to the old way of propulsion, where a diesel engine's output would go through a gearbox and then to a shaft line connected to the propeller.
The use of diesel-electric propulsion offers several advantages. Firstly, it does away with the need for a huge, centralized 2-stroke main engine and auxiliary engines, as the main generators supply electric power for ship loads and propulsion. This allows for huge space savings and offers flexibility in terms of location and arrangement. The propulsion motors are also much more compact and lighter than conventional engines, allowing for an even distribution of weight athwartships.
Another benefit of diesel-electric propulsion is that it provides greater efficiency. With this system, it is possible to run appropriately-sized diesel-engine generators based on demand, rather than having a large diesel engine idling and leading to better control of emissions. Additionally, if a ship with mechanical propulsion loses one of its two diesel engines, it loses 50% of its propulsion power. However, with diesel-electric propulsion, the diesel engines can be turned on only as they are needed, and if an engine is lost, the remaining diesel-engine generators can still provide power to both shaft lines.
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Shaft generators
Cruise ships require a lot of power to run machinery, systems, and equipment on board. While most cruise ships are propelled by diesel-electric propulsion, shaft generators are a valuable technical solution for cruise ship owners who are looking for economical and cleaner electrical power generation.
Shaft generator systems improve a vessel's energy efficiency and reduce emissions by using the main engine instead of auxiliary engines to generate electricity for use onboard. They are driven by the main engine to supply power to the mains and can be used only while the ship is moving. The speed of the shaft generator may vary depending on the situation, such as when the ship is sailing in traffic water or crossing canals, resulting in variations in voltage and frequency.
To overcome this, two systems can be used: a Power Take Off (PTO) system with different types of frequency control systems to ensure constant-frequency power production, and a hybrid system with an advanced power electric system to condition the power generated from the shaft generator to maintain a constant supply to the switchboard at any engine speed.
The shaft generator is operated via a tunnel gear unit installed in the shaft line between the low-speed main diesel engine and the propeller. It has just two components: the shaft generator itself and the frequency converter panel, which help to reduce volume, weight, and costs for foundation, cables, and cable work. The monitoring, testing, and simulation display integrated into the shaft generator panel allow for system monitoring during normal operations, and even when the main engine is out of operation, the system can still be tested, and most functions can be simulated.
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Gas turbines
GE Vernova's LM2500+ gas turbines, for example, have accumulated over 16 million operating hours in marine applications, including cruise ships, and have a high power density, making them a top choice for cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean International. The LM2500+ gas turbines are also known for their environmental friendliness, as they significantly reduce emissions of most airborne pollutants compared to conventional diesel power systems.
The gas turbine-based system on the Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship, for instance, uses a combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive system (COGES) plant. This plant provides both main ship propulsion and onboard power generation. The COGES plant is highly efficient as it captures energy from the gas turbine exhaust to produce steam for electric power generation and ship service steam use.
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Solar power
Solar panels on ships can be used to power interior electrical needs, such as elevators and lights, as seen on Celebrity Cruises' Solstice ship, which has 216 solar panels that reduce the need for fuel energy by 50%.
In the future, ships might use solar panels shaped like sails, which could potentially power all of a ship's interior electrical needs. This would drastically cut emissions from fossil fuels. As solar technology improves, it is likely that we will see solar panels being used on larger cruise ships.
While solar power shows promise as an energy source for cruise ships, it is not yet widely adopted. Most cruise ships continue to rely primarily on diesel or gas for propulsion, with some ships using liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is a cleaner alternative to diesel.
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Wind power
Star Clippers, for example, offers sailing expeditions that are 70% wind-powered. These ships are equipped with a special rotor sail that harnesses the wind's direction to create a force that propels the ship forward. The rotor sails are highly sensitive to wind conditions and can shut down when necessary, making them a safe and efficient way to supplement a ship's energy needs.
Modern electricity-generating windmills are another form of wind power that can be utilised by cruise ships. While this technology is still in its early stages for marine propulsion, it holds promise as a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. As technology advances, wind power may become an even more attractive option for cruise ship operators looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition to wind power, cruise ships are also exploring other sustainable energy sources. Solar power, for example, has been used in the marine industry since the late 2000s, with some cruise ships incorporating solar panels to power services such as elevators and lights. As solar technology advances, it may become possible for solar panels to power all interior electrical needs, drastically reducing emissions from fossil fuels.
Another alternative to traditional diesel engines is liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is a cleaner-burning fuel that emits less pollution than diesel, with no soot or sulfur oxides. While LNG currently requires large storage tanks, making it more suitable for smaller ships, improvements in technology may soon make it a viable option for larger cruise ships as well.
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Frequently asked questions
Cruise ships use diesel-electric propulsion, with big diesel engines that produce electricity. Some of this electricity is used for propulsion, while the rest is used for general ship functions like lighting and cooking.
Diesel-electric propulsion is more compact and flexible than conventional propulsion systems. It does away with the need for a large centralized engine and auxiliary engines, saving space and weight. It also allows for more commercial space on the ship, enhancing its earning capacity.
Yes, there are. Ship designers and engineers are developing new, more eco-friendly power systems. Some ships are already implementing wind and solar power as supplementary power sources. While these sources are not yet powerful enough to propel the ship on their own, they can be used for interior lights, elevators, and fuel engines. Gas turbines are another alternative, although they still rely on non-renewable energy sources.
