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1 Press Presse Press Presse Industry Sector Drive Technologies Division Nuremberg, Hamburg (Germany), September 5, 2012 SMM Hamburg Background information 2 Optimizing ship operation with the EcoMain communications platform With its system platform EcoMain Siemens introduces a technological and economical operations management system that supports ship operators and owners in optimizing operating procedures on board in terms of energy and resources, saving costs and energy. The platform solution collects all operating data and stores them in a standard format. New about the Siemens solution is its holistic approach, because up to now only separate individual solutions are available that did not process or utilize the systems' data pool optimally. For example, software applications like the Siemens energy efficiency module for optimizing heat recovery systems, as well as third party applications like trim optimization can be implemented on the EcoMain platform and fed with the data from the consolidated database. Usually each energy efficiency module is backed up by its own process simulation to visualize the best possible operating procedure and provide recommendations to the operator on ways to optimize ship navigation or reduce fuel consumption. However, each of the various systems such as automation, power management, HVAC, navigation and the drive system has its specific data protocols and structure. EcoMain now enables the exchange of data with the ship s operating systems via modular and open interfaces. It uses industry standards like Modbus, NMEA, Profibus, OPC, RS422 and others, which are connected to standardized IT hardware. The hardware is based on the COTS products, which have been adapted for installation and operation on ships. These features permit the system to be installed both in new ships, as well as in commercial and naval ships. As an open system, EcoMain is also ready for future applications. 1 / 5

2 EcoMain collects and processes data from a maximum of 60,000 data points. Sensor data such as temperatures, revolutions, pressures, torsions and weather data are retrieved each second where necessary, and consolidated and stored in a shared database. The bidirectional data exchange among the applications themselves occurs via a standardized data protocol that permits communication between the database and the applications, as well as between the applications themselves. Each application is able to import all data from this database via a standard application interface (API) and include it in its calculations. Among other things energy consumption, related emissions, storage of liquid, maintenance schedules and document and knowledge management can be analyzed and subsequently optimized. This information platform also provides secure access to the owner's fleet management system. The applications themselves do not require any dedicated control or monitoring hardware (HMI), saving space and costs on board. Workstations already present in an existing administrative network can serve as EcoMain clients. The applications are installed in virtual machines on the EcoMain server and can be accessed via the web server feature. Applications are visualized via a graphical user interface (GUI) in standard browsers, like any web application. The web server serves various web clients on board and ashore, such as the ones used for fleet management. The EcoMain Onboard System can connect with the EcoMain Ashore Fleet System via a secure satellite uplink. Security is the characteristic feature of the ship-land connection. For instance, it is possible to transmit pure data over an ISDN line at 64 or 128 kbit/s, or by as binary data several times a day. The EcoMain data is encrypted in binary and can only be decrypted by the EcoMain Ashore station or by the Onboard systems. The customer's firewalls and VPN tunnels can be incorporated in the security concept at the same time. The data explorer allows the selection of individual or several data to be displayed in a graphic format for debugging on board, as well as in a table for further analysis ashore. The supplied information is also validated, to avoid working with obviously incorrect information. Remote access for system diagnostics is similarly possible, even when the ship is in operation, of course only upon approval by ship management. Service technicians on board and ashore can use this module to perform system diagnostics. Doing so enables a fast response to errors while en route, saving travel costs. Specifications for optimal operation with Decision Support An energy management system on board a ship is quite different to the energy management specifications as per ISO in production. There are many external factors on board, some of which one has no control over. For example, different load profiles, trims differing according to 2 / 5

3 payload, and rapidly changing weather and current conditions heavily effect energy consumption. Nonetheless, it is possible to take the same approach as in energy management for production: first of all, all of the systems' relevant energy consumers are identified and their interactions and interdependencies made transparent. This includes describing the operating conditions and performance of auxiliary systems. Then the rate of wear and service of the operational equipment is assessed. Finally, key performance indicators (KPIs) are established in relation to the different operating conditions, making the previously incomparable comparable. Based on the KPI, shipbuilders and owners can prove the increased energy efficiency as per the specifications of the International Maritime Organization, IMO. For example, EcoMain assesses the total consumption of heavy oil per nautical mile (total specific oil consumption) in kg/nm, and calculates the specific energy consumption in kwh/nm, subdividing it over the consumers such as propulsion or fresh water generation. The financial aspects can be visualized in Euros or US dollars. Emission applications can display the specific emissions of the contaminants CO 2, SO x and NO x per nautical mile in kg/nm. Maintenance applications calculate the number of repairs and the repair costs per year. An intelligent analysis of such applications determine the optimum time for maintenance based on current and historical operating data, and makes suggestions accordingly. Energy efficiency applications from Marorka ehf. can already be integrated in the EcoMain system. They can be used to optimize ship speed, route, fuel consumption and propeller settings. To this end EcoMain suggests operating parameters for the crew to configure. The Decision Support system calculates these proposals by comparing current operating data and operating data calculated using a corresponding process simulation. Marorka Trim Optimization is an example of this. It helps to improve a ship's trim, as speed, displacement and water depth severely impact fuel consumption. An exact computer model of the hydrodynamic characteristics of a ship forms the core component of this application. By comparing archived data in EcoMain, the system is also able to determine the status of the hull and propeller, and thus propose required maintenance activities. Another EcoMain application from Siemens is the Decision Support for optimizing the operation even of complex waste-heat recovery systems. The system feeds electrical energy from the exhaust of the main engine via a turbine generator back into the ship's network. Again, current operating data are compared with calculated operating data, being established by means of a process simulation. The simulation calculates all optimum operating parameters to make maximum 3 / 5

4 use of the turbine generator. A graphic visualization provides easy overview, and can easily be customized if needed. Information management trains personnel Of course the dynamics of a ship do not change when a Decision Support system is introduced, but predictions are provided that allow operators to respond better to the question "What if?" Introducing a Decision Support system can significantly increase transparency of operations, as simulation models quickly generate and assess alternative scenarios. If this concept is applied to more than one ship of a line, then by employing benchmarks, operations across the entire fleet can be optimized via a shore-based EcoMain fleet management. Current ship documentation and sharing experiences within a fleet are the major enabler for best practice sharing. This is why EcoMain provides a knowledge and document management application alongside Decision Support. This tool can also be used to supply alternating crews with important platform specific information, because the biggest potential for saving is still to be found in energy consumption and maintenance. For instance, technological board facilities and systems supply meaningful data like status, output and efficiency. Different maintenance applications use this data to calculate optimal individualized maintenance cycles. This allows for reduction of maintenance and repair costs as well as dry dock periods. Ideally, EcoMain will give rise to a condition-based maintenance system where maintenance expenditure and costs for spare parts can be optimized. Additional service agreements enable application of effective maintenance programs, deployment of innovative technologies and strategies, as well as evidence of unpredicted defects and downtimes of systems and facilities. All of this ensures a ship's maximum availability and performance. 4 / 5

5 EcoMain collects and processes data of the entire fleet and provides recommendations to the crews and the ship owner. The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products and solutions for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the Sector enhances its customers' productivity, efficiency, and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Divisions Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services as well as the Business Unit Metals Technologies. For more information, visit The Siemens Drive Technologies Division (Nuremberg, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the Division fulfills the key requirements of its customers for productivity, energy efficiency, and reliability. For more information, visit 5 / 5