Rolls-Royce is further expanding its range of data-driven services, with a new remote monitoring centre (RMC) commissioned In Arcola, Italy, for vessels fitted with mtu propulsion systems.
Service experts will initially monitor marine applications, analyse operational data and support customers in ensuring the availability and performance of their systems. Through continuous analysis, changes in operational behaviour can be identified at an early stage, enabling targeted measures to be devised jointly. Arcola is the first RMC outside Berlin, where remote monitoring has so far focused on battery storage systems and microgrids, and marks the starting point for the global roll-out of the concept.
Andreas Görtz, President, Mobile and Sustainable Business, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “With remote monitoring, we are evolving our customer service from merely providing support for specific issues to offering continuous support for our customers. The analysis of operational data creates transparency, helps to identify changes at an early stage and enables better planning of maintenance measures. In this way, we support our customers in operating their systems reliably and efficiently.”
The aim of remote monitoring is to provide customers with better support in operating their systems reliably and efficiently. To this end, operational data from networked systems is continuously analysed. This enables changes in operational behaviour to be detected at an early stage, allowing targeted measures to be devised jointly. If the RMC identifies any relevant deviations, it supports customers with specific recommendations for action to optimise operations and plan maintenance measures. Depending on requirements, further services such as the supply of spare parts or the deployment of a service engineer can be coordinated.
Jörn Lindstädt, SVP Global Service, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, added: “With remote monitoring, we combine digital technologies with our many years of on-site service expertise. This enables us to create greater transparency regarding the operation of our systems, provide our customers with more targeted support and help to further increase the availability of their plants.”
At the Arcola RMC, trained staff are currently monitoring the connected fleets and installations. Two customers – the Italian ferry operator Liberty Lines and the Italian shipyard Overmarine – are already benefiting from the new service. Remote monitoring in Arcola forms part of a broader service concept from Rolls-Royce. Each centre will support customers and installations in its region and can, where necessary, call upon additional specialists in analysis and problem-solving. In addition to regional RMCs, remote monitoring hubs (RMHs) are to be established in future, which will provide overarching trend analysis and support the regional centres with more complex issues.
The ‘mtu Go’ platform provides the technological basis for remote monitoring. It enables operational data from connected systems to be made available remotely and used for monitoring purposes. Existing, compatible systems can also be retrofitted to use mtu Go. Rolls-Royce is gradually developing the monitoring functions further. New functions are first tested in pilot applications and then rolled out for wider use. Insights gained from the operation of connected fleets are incorporated into the further development of analytics and monitoring functions.
Image: mtu remote monitoring centre (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)
