THE POTENTIAL USE OF ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGIES IN FUTURE PATROL COMBATANTS

The application of energy saving technologies in merchant vessels has been studied in great detail during periods of economic uncertainty and environmental concern. Some technologies are being increasingly widely adopted, and are likely to become commonplace. Generally, the potential application of these technologies to naval vessels has been much rarer, due to a variety of reasons. This may change in the future, as wider application of those technologies to different merchant ships acts to de-risk them, and increasing fuel prices lead to navies considering energy saving measures. This paper examines the potential application of energy saving technologies to a 3000 tonne trimaran OPV / light frigate