The ship power electronic revolution: Issues and answers

Power electronics can enable dramatic improvements in marine platforms and ships - increased power, greater automation, with enhanced capabilities and missions. Systems with many power electronic components are emerging, driven by the need for power quality, availability, security, and efficiency. Mechanical ship propulsion systems are being replaced by electric propulsion. Variable speed motor drives are replacing across-the-line motor starters to save energy and decrease load induced instabilities. Uninterruptible power supplies are used everywhere to maintain power continuity and quality. Offshore and deep ocean platforms use many electrical motors for sea keeping and maneuvering. Marine based renewable energy concepts such as tidal and wave power generation and offshore wind farms are emerging. In all the complexity and detail of these is increasing dramatically. Todaypsilas rule-based design processes is no longer adequate. New power electronic system architectures and design concepts are the key to these advances. This paper analyzes these issues and offers solutions in the form of new ideas such as Medium Voltage DC distribution, MVDC, and a ldquorelationalrdquo design process, enabled by physics-based modeling and simulation. Paper also describes the Marine Industries Subcommittee activities in these areas and other related IEEE activities.