Kongsberg Maritime has further developed its Neptune Engine Room Simulator (ERS) so that it can be operated from a real Integrated Automation System (IAS). The Kongsberg Maritime AutoChief® C20 and K-Chief 500 have been interfaced to the simulator, which now can be operated in the same way as onboard a modern vessel, providing a highly realistic training experience.
Integrating a simulator with onboard systems is a first for simulation technology. The new Neptune ERS solution provides new training potential for ship owners and operators running Kongsberg Maritime IAS onboard, as they can now train engineers and other crew in the most realistic setting possible - the actual onboard equipment.
"Marine engineers have for decades used ERS for training in the understanding of engine room systems and the way an engine room is built. However, our new approach, which integrates the ERS with the systems onboard, can provide an even better understanding, whilst at the same time offering more efficient training methods and logistics for students, shipping companies and training institutes," comments Leif Pentti Halvorsen, ERS Product Adviser, Kongsberg Maritime.
The first version of this groundbreaking new simulator configuration is The ERS-L11 MAN B&W 5L90MC-VLCC, which simulates a very large crude carrier with a MAN B&W slow speed turbo charged diesel engine. The simulation model is based on real engine data so when the Neptune ERS is run on the real equipment onboard the dynamic behaviour of the simulator is as close to real engine response as possible, making for an unmatched, highly realistic training environment.
The simulated electrical plant includes 2 diesel generators, one turbo generator, one shaft generator/motor, and one 180 kW emergency generator. The steam plant simulation includes a D-type steam boiler, exhaust boiler, 4 cargo turbines, ballast turbine and condensing and feed water systems. Kongsberg Maritime plans to offer different versions of the simulator for different vessel configurations. As a leading marine simulation developer, Kongsberg Maritime already has a large library of scenarios and models that can be interfaced to a real IAS.
"We see this functionality as a very important development that will constitute an efficient tool for top-up and product training for qualified engineers and those already in a training program. By using the IAS as it is installed onboard, the simulation and real-life operation are closer than ever, and this is the pinnacle for simulation training," adds Halvorsen.