Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
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£7 million support for innovation in the UK marine and maritime industry

Projects developing innovative ways to reduce fuel usage in ships and submarines are to benefit from £7 million of funding. The call, which was co-funded by the UK‟s innovation agency – the Technology Strategy Board – and the Ministry of Defence‟s (MOD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), was the first, joint collaborative research and development (CR&D) competition aimed specifically at the marine sector.

Entitled „Vessel Efficiency: Piloting UK Marine and Maritime Innovation‟ the call focussed on ways to reduce fuel usage in marine vessels – a priority for both the civil and defence maritime industry.

The call received an extremely positive response and following a rigorous selection process 10 proposals were awarded funding. Examples of funded proposals included a project to design, manufacture and test a prefabricated accommodation module, typical of cabins currently installed on cruise liners that could significantly reduce weight in the vessel and thereby lower fuel usage. Another successful application will look into using glycerol as an alternative to marine diesel. Glycerol, which is non-toxic and non-volatile, is a by-product of biofuel production and its usage could both lower fuel emissions and costs.

Dr Philip Smith, a maritime expert at Dstl, says: "By engaging with the Technology Strategy Board we have been able to access and engage a broad range of new suppliers into the Defence environment as we seek to lower the cost of running marine vessels. All tasks funded have applicability to both the civil and naval markets, and outputs from these proposals could also realistically contribute towards the UK MOD‟s overall target of reducing fossil fuel use."

Andrew Everett, Head of Transport at the Technology Strategy Board, said: "The number and quality of the proposals submitted shows the interest and potential there

is for delivering real innovation in this area. We look forward to working with Dstl on future initiatives to make marine transport more efficient."

A second call, to seek further innovative ideas for future use in the marine industry, entitled „Vessel Efficiency II: Better systems at sea‟, will be officially opened in January 2014.

The full list of consortium proposals funded from the first Vessel Efficiency call is:

Magnetically Geared Propulsion Motor: A project to mature the design of a compact and highly efficient electric propulsion motor, led by Magnomatics Limited.

Composite Cabin Module: A demonstration, led by PE Composites Ltd, of achieving a significant weight saving by building pre-fabricated accommodation modules out of composite materials, as opposed to steel.

Wave Augmented Foil Technology: Development of a technology, project managed by Rolls-Royce plc, to generate propulsive power from the motion of a vessel, thereby reducing fuel use.

High Efficiency Work Vessel: A project led by Cox Powertrain Limited to develop the design of an efficient work vessel incorporating a high power diesel outboard motor that would increase fuel efficiency and negate the need to store petrol.

Vessel Clean: Development of ultrasound technology led by Applied Inspection Ltd to inhibit bio-film build-up on large vessels.

Holistic Vessel Performance and Routing System: An ICT based approach, managed by Fugro GEOS Ltd, using a combination of specific weather forecasting and vessel performance to optimise vessel fuel efficiency.

High Efficiency Marine Energy: A project, led by Pendennis Shipyard Ltd, proposing to develop a highly optimised hybrid energy system for vessels up to 50m in length.

Novel Hull Coating to Reduce Friction and Fouling: Development of Graphene technology, led by Thales Underwater Systems, to inhibit fouling of marine vessels.

Glycerine fuel for Engines and Marine Sustainability: A project, managed by Marine South East Ltd, proposing to demonstrate the use of Glycerine as a fuel for marine vessels.

 

Energy Harvesting Technology From Vessel Motion: A project, led by A&P Falmouth Limited, proposing to scale up technology that turns vessel motion into electrical power.

ENDS

For more information contact the Dstl press office on 01980 658088, 07584 262216, press@dstl.gov.uk.

Follow us on Twitter: @dstlmod

Notes to editors:

Dstl

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) maximises the impact of science and technology (S&T) for the defence and security of the UK, supplying sensitive and specialist S&T services for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider government.

Dstl is a trading fund of the MOD, run along commercial lines. It is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to S&T in the defence and security field, with three main sites at Porton Down, near Salisbury, Portsdown West, near Portsmouth, and Fort Halstead, near Sevenoaks.

Dstl works with a wide range of partners and suppliers in industry, in academia and overseas. Around 60% of the Defence Science and Technology Programme is delivered by these external partners and suppliers.

The Technology Strategy Board

The Technology Strategy Board is the UK‟s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org.

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