DNV GL Highlights Research Underway
DNV GL has published a report on its research activities: Research Review 2015. The document summarizes strategic research and innovation within DNV GL. Two of the projects described are:
MODAM
The MODAM project is a substantial collaborative project between DNV GL, ABB and BW Gas supported by the Research Council of Norway. This was the first maritime project to introduce the concept of a digital twin supporting the classification process of ship components and systems in a lifecycle perspective.
The motivation of the project has been to combine the advent of digitalization in the maritime industry with increasingly advanced simulation tools in order to ensure the safety and reliability of shipboard assets. An increasing number of ship components are designed in digital format by means of modern computer-based design tools and evaluated by simulation tools.
To make design approvals more efficient, information embedded in the models should be transferred in digital format to the classification society in order to populate rule checking tools of the classification society or alternatively, rule checking can be carried out directly in the simulation tool of the designer by developing rule checking algorithms. The simulation model of the component represents a digital twin.
An increasing amount of components are outfitted with sensors in order to enable condition monitoring of the components. The sensor readings obtained from the factory testing of the component can then be used to calibrate the digital twin, which in turn may be used to assess the evaluation of the performance of the component.
Once the component is integrated on the ship, the sensor readings obtained in the sea trial of the ship can be used to calibrate the simulation model in a systems perspective, and the calibrated and validated digital twin may be used to evaluate the performance of the component on-board the ship as well as to establish an as-built, baseline performance of the component.
Following this process will enable a real-time on condition maintenance and survey regime for the component in operation, supported by the sensor readings from the component combined with diagnostics and prognostics capabilities offered by the digital twin. The methodology has the potential to be applied to all ship assets, and could potentially transform asset management and assurance in the maritime industry.
The methodology will be piloted in the MODAM project on an ABB designed asset operated on a BW Gas ship.
Ocean Space
The world’s oceans have always been a valuable resource for humanity. New and improved practices can help to maintain, and even increase, their potential for future generations.
DNV GL has established itself as a leader in sustainability and risk management in many of today’s marine industries, working together with those involved from the surface to the seafloor.
In 2015, we ran a pre-project to investigate further opportunities– both on a general basis and for the particular industries that DNV GL is into. New Ocean Space activities will seek out the additional waters in between the surface and the seafloor and expose DNV GL to new opportunities.
Not that long ago, the business environment was very different. Environmental and social issues were of little concern. Society has demanded change, and new ideals have been set forth in the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Strategic project concepts are currently being developed for Ocean Space activities that will follow ocean products from their origin through to consumer products in order to identify potential areas for improvement in production, conservation and waste management.
This approach will be applied to different ocean industries, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, fresh water production, minerals, transportation, oil and gas exploration and offshore energy. Even well-established businesses, such as the oil and gas industry, are facing a variety of challenges, including an increase in extreme weather events and wave loads.
None are immune from the need to critically examine their sustainability practices. Constantly changing environments demand the re-evaluation of existing practices, and DNV GL is well placed to manage and mitigate any impacts on ocean industries and, by extension, the ocean ecosystems they operate within.
Still in its early stages, a potential Ocean Space project will position DNV GL to leverage its core competencies within marine, offshore, risk management and management systems to help bring about positive change. And, with much of their vastness still under-explored, new ocean industries will emerge. Through ongoing research, DNV GL will expand with them to help ensure a sustainable future for citizens and natural systems.
Research Review 2015 is available here.