Renewable Energy Solutions for Ships: A Multigeneration System Analysis

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Hakim Sabzevari University have presented a novel approach to reducing fossil fuel consumption in ships through the implementation of a multigeneration system. The study suggests that this system can produce power, cooling, heating, hydrogen, oxygen, desalinated water, and consumed hot water using a combination of renewable energy sources and waste heat recovery. The system's performance was analyzed using energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic equations, and two multi-objective optimization methods were employed to optimize the influential parameters.

Key Takeaways:

  • The multigeneration system proposed by the researchers includes a desalinator, an electrolyzer, a supercritical CO2 (SCO2) power cycle, a transcritical CO2 refrigeration cycle, and a hydrogen engine.
  • The system utilizes the exhaust heat of the ship to supply the required energy, resulting in a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution.
  • The study found that the exergy and energy efficiency of the system were 47.55% and 21.36%, respectively, at the optimal point.
  • The total cost rate of the system was 33.914 $/h at the optimal point.
  • The maximum values of the exergy destruction, cost rate, and exergoeconomic factor were found to be 5493 kW, 10.74 $/h, and 82.18% for the generator, cooling-cycle compressor, and pump, respectively.
  • The exergoeconomic analysis revealed that the maximum cost rate belonged to the power-cycle generator.
  • The research was peer-reviewed and published in the journal Energy.
  • The study's findings are significant for the development of more efficient and sustainable solutions for ship propulsion and onboard energy generation.

Statistics:

  • Exergy and energy efficiency: 47.55% and 21.36%
  • Total cost rate: 33.914 $/h
  • Exergy destruction: 5493 kW
  • Cost rate: 10.74 $/h
  • Exergoeconomic factor: 82.18%

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Hakim Sabzevari University Yields New Findings on Chemicals and Chemistry (Topsis and Genetic Algorithm-based Optimization of a Marine Multi-generation System With 3e Evaluation). Mathematics Week. October 21, 2025; p 669.
  • Journal paper: Topsis and Genetic Algorithm-based Optimization of a Marine Multi-generation System With 3e Evaluation. Energy, 2025;334.
  • Publisher: Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
  • Editors: Mohammad Gholizadeh, Mohammad Yazdani, Daryoush Dadpour, and Sebastien Poncet
  • Publisher's website: www.elsevier.com; www.journals.elsevier.com/energy/