Objectives:

• Development of a new technology of Power Generation and Distribution System for Marine Applications.
• Improving the nowadays existing AC based classic solutions in terms of : Energy Efficiency,  Fuel consumption and Emissions (20%*), Volume (25%*), Weight (25%*) and Maintenance requirements, Cost, and Ship functionality.
• Complying and fulfilling the requirements of classification standards in terms of system protection and operation availability.

Technological Challenges:

• Robustness and Stability of the DC bus must be guaranteed for all the operating conditions. Multiple and high coupled Nonlinear Constant Power Loads are present .
• More Control Degrees of Freedom: The Optimisation of Energy and Power flows becomes a high complex task, but the benefit in terms of fuel consumption could be high.
• System Protection and Selectivity in case of electrical fault must be assured: At Power converter level, at DC Distribution network level. Coordination needed to prevent blackouts. DC Breakers in coordination with the Power Converters.

Solution:

Project Main Activity:

• WP1: Power Generation and DC distribution Analysis (2014)
• Methodology for the Analysis and Dimensioning of the  entire system.
• Definition of the evaluation  scenario. Analysis of Power demands in Vessels.
• Application of the methodology. System Optimization. Optimal Design.
• Evaluation of the benefits obtained.
• WP2: Protection of DC Distribution System (2014-Mid2015)
• Identification of failure conditions and the worst operation conditions.
• Evaluation of different protection strategies.
• Design and Development of the protections at component level.
• Design and Development of the protections coordination strategy at system level.
• WP3: Experimental evaluation (2015)
• Small Scale Prototype Design and Development
• Definition, Execution and Validation of Test Protocols