Guidance

Hybridisation of the Naval Fleet: Market Exploration Document

Published 17 November 2021

1. Background

This Market Exploration exercise aims to find a Hybrid Powertrain potential solution for use in Royal Navy (RN) and Auxiliary ships. This is to aid the defence environmental sustainability strategy, to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by no later than 2050. Through prior research it has been found that hybrid engines have the potential to significantly reduce the overall emissions of RN and Auxiliary ships. By conducting a Market Exploration it is hoped that this technology can be taken further and implemented into active service.

2. What we want

We are interested in current or soon to be introduced Hybrid Powertrain potential solutions for use on RN and Auxiliary vessels in order to achieve a 20-40% emissions reduction by 2030. Potential solutions are sought around electrification (AC as well as DC) and electrical storage. Carbon reduction targets are set at point of use and exclude the manufacturing process. Analysis of potential hybrid solution for disposal or recycling should be provided with any proposals. It is important to note that we are looking for different potential solutions per vessel as they each have different use cases and requirements. Potential solutions must be able to fit into existing engine spaces. The Market Exploration will need to explore potential solutions capable of propelling ships such as:

• Mass of 65,000 Tonnes at a speed of no less than 25 Knots. Length – 280m, Beam – 39/73m, Draught – 11m. Propulsion output is 4x 20MW
• Mass of 6,900 Tonnes at a minimum of 26 Knots. Length – 150m, Beam – 21m. Power output is 2x 20MW
• Mass of 7,350 Tonnes at a minimum speed requirement of 32 Knots. Length – 280m, Beam – 39/73m. Power output is 2x 21.5MW

These potential solutions need to be retrofittable into current vessels and have no negative impact on their individual operational capability. It is desired that the current TRL and “maturity time” for each potential solution is declared so that this can be taken into consideration. Potential solutions should be weight neutral or better. Rough order of magnitude for costs of the system, system installation and any development costs from TRL 7 onwards. We are not looking for fully costed proposals at this time. Details must be given of any infrastructure required to support the potential solution. Certification basis will be in line with current practice, highlighting any additional risks.

3. What we don’t want

We are not interested in literature reviews, paper-based studies, consultancy, non-technical potential solutions or marginal improvements to existing capabilities. Potential solutions cannot only run on standard diesel and must have the adaptability to run with future fuels. There is no interest in pursuing alternative low-density fuels such as ammonia or hydrogen. Potential solutions should not negatively impact the operational capability of RN and auxiliary vessels. Nuclear options will not be considered.

This is not a competition and therefore we are not asking for fully costed proposals at this stage. This is a market engagement request for information exercise, and we do not commit to subsequently launch a formal DASA competition. Potential solutions that address less than the minimum propulsion requirements are not required.

4. How to submit a Market Exploration Submission to DASA

Responses to this Market Exploration must be submitted via the DASA submission service, for which you will need to register. We recommend you use a Google Chrome browser to access the DASA submission service. You will be asked for a title and short summary of your innovation, along with questions related to your organisation, your idea and technology maturity. We are seeking to understand what and how much further development is required for a complete potential solution to meet requirements, or whether a combination of separate potential solutions is required. The information you provide will assist in developing a statement of requirements for potential future activities.

Submissions must be submitted by midday (GMT) on 27 January 2022. Unfortunately we are unable to accept any submissions after this point.

Please only provide details of one product/capability per submission. If you have a number of potential solutions, then please submit multiple forms.

If you have any questions then please email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk with “Hybridisation of the Naval Fleet” in the subject line.

5. How we use your information

Information you provide to us in a Market Exploration Submission, that is not already available to us from other sources, will be handled in-confidence. By submitting a Market Exploration Submission you are giving us permission to keep and use the information for our internal purposes, and to provide the information onwards, in-confidence, within UK Government. The Defence and Security Accelerator will not use or disclose the information for any other purpose, without first requesting permission to do so.