(Geesthacht) – The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has opened its “Institute for Maritime Energy Systems”. It is intended to develop “technologies for the decarbonization of shipping and for all ship types”. The location is the Innovation and Technology Center (GITZ) on the site of the Helmholtz Center Hereon in Geesthacht (Schleswig-Holstein). 
“Our new institute will set the course for future maritime transport. This should cause as few emissions as possible and have a closed material cycle,” explains DLR CEO Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla. The scientists look at the entire infrastructure system from the port to energy production and in Geesthacht conduct holistic research into ocean liners, cruise ships, smaller inland vessels and yachts. In addition to the use of alternative fuels, the institute will investigate, among other things, the supply and propulsion with hydrogen. The work provides impulses for shipyards, ship chandlers, shipowners and port operators.
Test ship tests drives in real and virtual form
The Institute for Maritime Energy Systems plans to have a motor ship built on which various propulsion systems will be tested. The aim is to advance the development of systems and components for inland and maritime shipping to such an extent that they could be used worldwide in the near future. A digital counterpart will virtually complete the research in order to carry out experiments “safely and efficiently” in simulations. This allows tests in borderline areas and reduces the number of real tests necessary. For example, usage conditions in extreme climates could be predicted. It will also be possible to scale the systems to large container ships as well as smaller inland vessels or other types of ships.
13 employees are currently setting up the infrastructure. Test environments for container-based energy systems are being set up in a hall. In the long term, the institute is expected to employ 250 people in the four departments of Energy Converters and Systems, Energy Infrastructures, Virtual Ship and System Demonstration.
The state government is supporting the development of the institute with 15 million euros and is assuming part of the annual financing. The federal government's goal is to develop the first emission-free cruise ship by 2030 and to replace heavy oil as an energy source, says Norbert Brackmann, the federal government's coordinator for the maritime economy.
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A digital twin allows simulations without costly tests on the real sea. / © DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
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Simulated harbor scene / © DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
