Demonstrators

Demonstration is one of the key activities of SYNERGETICS. The SYNERGETICS project creates synergies with the pilot projects and the knowledge centers to collect the knowledge and experience relevant for the greening retrofit technologies. SYNERGETICS, however, also intends to perform demonstration of greening retrofit by implementing technologies which are regarded as novel, yet sufficiently mature to reach high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) by the end of the project (the so-called “low hanging fruits”). SYNERGETICS, thus, does not develop the technologies, but aims to demonstrate their potential in application. Therefore, the Demonstration is an activity which is dependent on the state-of-the-art in the industrial development of the targeted technologies and involves a high level of uncertainty. Nevertheless, SYNERGETICS initiated the preparatory work on all demonstrators as planned.

SYNERGETICS aims to demonstrate the utilization of methanol and hydrogen in internal combustion engines, the electrification (either by means of swapable batteries or by electrification of the main propulsion plant), and the hydrodynamic improvements of ships. The project also supports the further development and improvement of the power managements systems used in hydrogen/fuel cell powered ships. In a series of kick-off meetings and site visits with the partners involved in the Demonstration, the present state of the Demonstrators has been established, which led to initiation of the first Demonstrators.

• The demonstration of electrification by means of exchangeable battery packs, which focuses on the improvement of onboard connectors, is already running on an inland container vessel.
• The demonstration of hydrodynamic improvements was successfully initated with the acquisition and analysis of onboard monitoring data as well as the scale model production of the target vessel for the tests in the towing tank.
• The demonstration of improved power management of vessels with hybrid propulsion is in realization: the first generation of power management systems is being utilized on an inland container vessel; the second generation of the systems will be developed based on the performance data being collected from the vessel in operation.
• The demonstration of combustion of methanol in internal combustion engines is dependent on delivery of the engine(s) but the underlying works by project partners are under way.
• The electrification of the cement carrier is in development: the operational profile of the vessel is being studied and an adequate approach is being elaborated.
• The demonstration of capabilities of digital tools in finding the optimal greening solution for a specified ship has started on the push boat “Bad Deutsch-Altenburg” christened in August 2023.