Energy Efficient Operations of Warships: Perspective of the Indian Navy

Abstract

Naval fleets comprise a wide range of vessels, such as Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes, Patrol Vessels and Fleet Tankers; these ships have varied patterns of energy usage based on their roles and assigned missions. These combatants usually have high power density plants installed for propulsive and electrical power loads, which are more focused on achieving operational objectives than being emission “friendly”. The Indian Navy (IN), a rapidly growing force with an intensive shipbuilding program underway, has launched a ‘Green Initiatives Program’ to optimize energy use across its fleet as well as shore support organizations, without compromising on the effectiveness of naval operations. IN endeavors to make its designs, shipbuilding outcomes and even modes of operations more energy efficient and thus achieve reduction in energy consumption/use. It has already launched measures aimed at both technological and behavioral changes. The analysis at hand aims to highlight the perspective and overall measures that IN has taken or intends to introduce towards its “green objectives”. Furthermore, how the work being undertaken globally in all spheres of technology, by commercial, non-governmental and governmental agencies to reduce the emission footprints of commercial ships can be applied directly or indirectly towards that direction is also discussed.