Results-120
The presentations of the symposium on the 16th of may are posted below. Click on the link and see the results.
Block 1 Artificial intelligence
AI-Gabriel-Weymouth
AI-Fanny-Rebiffe
Block 2 Geopolitics
This block consisted of a discussion pannel. At the start Frank Bekkers gave an introductional presentation
Frank-Bekkers
Block 3 Conversion to Alternative Fuels
Harry- Linksens
Dick-Heidelberg
Peter-de-Vos
Summary: A Change of Course
By: Bas Lenferink
The study association S.G. “William Froude” of the study Marine Technology at the TU Delft celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. In honour of the 24th lustrum the students organised a symposium on May 16th at Hal4 aan de Maas. There are a lot of ongoing developments in the maritime sector. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are developing quickly, global political relations are a subject to change and the sector is changing to alternative fuels. Under the motto “A Change of Course” 200 guests discussed these three topics and their impact on the maritime sector under the guidance of Bas Buchner, the chairman of the day.
The day started with a presentation of Professor of Ship Hydromechanics Gabriel Weymouth of the TU Delft. He gave an insight to artificial intelligence and both the possibilities and limits of its use. Conventional research models are physics based and very precise. To match these results with machine learning a lot of data is needed. This data is not always available. The use of physics based constraints in a machine learning model creates a model that can be near perfect with little data. Extrapolating outside the limits of the input however, still poses a challenge. A showcase of the use of artificial intelligence in reality was then given by Fanny Rebiffé (MARIN). MARIN developed a model that learned itself how to sail an Optimist. Through a lot of trial and error the model learned itself how to sail upwind in the basin of MARIN. This project was the first milestone in developing AI-driven models at MARIN.
The second block of the day was started by Frank Bekkers (The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies). He gave a brief overview of the current status of world politics. Geopolitics is back on the table and resources and goods are used more and more for political gains. This, combined with an alteration of the energy mix and hence new patterns of bulk transport, will cause changes at the world stage. After his presentation, Frank Bekkers was joined by Richard Keulen (Damen), Annet Koster (KVNR), Marius Ottolini (HMC) and Maarten Vink (Jumbo Maritime) to discuss the impact of these political developments on the Dutch maritime sector. The general consensus was, that it is important for Europe to think of its geopolitical position and how to maintain it in a changing world.
Harry Linskens (DEKc Maritime) opened the final block with an overview of the four major alternative fuels. A comparison between LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen was made. Having the same energy storage as diesel with alternative fuels requires a lot more space. A change in ship redundancy requirements could be a solution. Also different ship types will use different fuels as their operational profiles will be different. Dick Heidelberg (Wärtsilä) followed with an example of a methanol conversion on the Stena Germanica and showcased the changes needed on board. An overview was also given on an ammonia set up with the Wärtsilä 25 ammonia engine. This block was concluded by Peter de Vos (TU Delft). During his presentation he focussed on the feasibility of alternative energy sources on board of ships. Abandoning existing starting points in the design process, gives room for new ideas when working with new systems and fuels. At the start of the design process everything is possible and he encouraged the students in the room to stay open minded when solving future problems.
The day was concluded with a panel consisting of two students, two PhD students and two professionals elaborating on the lessons learned that day. A change of course coming up and a new generation with a little more knowledge to tackle the challenges ahead.