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ZHENIT

ZI was waste Heat vessel towards relevant ENenergy savings also thanks to IT technologies.

Development of solutions for waste heat recovery and reduction of energy consumption and emissions from ships.
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Research focus
The ZHENIT project focuses on waste heat recovery (WHR) in the shipping sector, with the aim of significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions from ships. The research explores innovative solutions for exploiting waste heat generated on board, thus contributing to the decarbonization targets set by the EU and the IMO for 2030.
Solution found
ZHENIT proposes an integrated approach to transform unused heat into usable energy for various onboard services, such as electricity generation, cooling, and desalination. By combining multiple heat recovery technologies at different temperature levels, the project aims to exploit every available heat source, ultimately achieving a "zero waste heat" vessel.
Advanced technological solution
The project develops and tests three key solutions:

An innovative organic Rankine cycle (ORC) with heat pump for trigeneration (>100°C).

An adsorption system for cooling and desalination (70–100°C).

An isobaric expansion engine for mechanical work (<100°C). These technologies will be integrated with digital tools for energy monitoring and optimized management, and combined with hybrid wind propulsion (rigid sail) to maximize energy efficiency.

In the ZHENIT project, Relatech is developing digital solutions for energy monitoring and optimized management of heat recovery systems, integrating industrial automation tools to ensure the efficient, safe, and adaptive operation of the entire onboard system.
Financing

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101056801. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101056801. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Partnership

ZHENIT is implemented by an international partnership of research institutions, universities, and leading companies in their respective sectors, with RINA Consulting as the administrative and financial coordinator.

In addition to Relatech, the following are part of it:

  • National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
  • Danelec
  • TECHNICAL
  • ATTICA Group
  • CNR – Institute of Advanced Energy Technologies (ITAE)
  • Sorption Technologies
  • Encontech
  • Bound4Blue
  • University of Birmingham
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