Load management for auxiliary engine
There is ample evidence that shows that load management for auxiliary engines is an effective way of reducing the engines’ fuel consumption as well as their maintenance costs. The engine and generator as a combined system are normally referred to as diesel-generator (DG). On-board ships, and often in order to assure against black out, two DGs are operated for long periods at less than 50% load factor. The periods for which these conditions are sustained can include all discharge ports, standby periods, tank cleaning periods and ballast exchange periods. This often leads to unnecessary simultaneous usage of multiple engines; at low load factors and beyond requirements. As a result, low load factor leads to poor energy efficiency performance. Additionally, the operation of diesel engines at low loads causes poor piston ring seal, sub-optimum turbocharger performance, high specific fuel consumption, elevated thermal stresses and increased specific lube oil consumption. In short, it leads to more maintenance and higher fuel consumption (MariEMS 2017).