Energy performance evaluation for fishing vessels

The prospect of sustained high fuel prices has provoked widespread interest in finding energy efficiency strategies to mitigate the overall impact to the fishing sector. Energy efficiency must be the result of a methodological approach. A continuous monitoring of energy performance of the vessel thorough a periodical investigation allows to identify increasing in energy (fuel) consumption, reacting to solve as soon as possible. An Energy Audit tool were conceived at CNR - ISMAR of Ancona. For each vessel monitored, through a preliminary interview to the owner, technical information were collected. On the basis of the energy layout obtained from technical information, the measurement kit was prepared for monitoring fuel consumption, power delivered, speed and course, gear drag, hydraulic and electric power usage. The result of collected data processing is the energetic profile of the vessel. Once the energetic profile is defined, it is possible to identify heavy energy users and to investigate deeper on possibility to reduce energy usage and fuel consumption. Through energetic performance indicators fishing vessel is characterized during trawling and sailing phases. Energy Audit carried out highlighted low propulsion system efficiency, typically with a fixed pitch propeller, especially during trawling for pelagic pair trawlers.