(BRISTOL, United Kingdom) — Technology has pushed global military powers to become stronger and more capable. At this year’s International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition (INEC), GE’s Marine Solutions business showcased its extensive capabilities and innovation in naval technologies through the publication of five technical papers. The themes cover from smart product design and system integration to digitalized naval solutions, facilitating dialogue and driving debate on how innovation in naval engineering is continuously steering the industry forward.
Advanced hybrid systems and new integration challenges
There has been a marked shift for naval ships to adopt a hybrid propulsion system, which offers efficiency, fuel savings and flexibility for varying mission profiles. This paper focuses on the benefits and challenges presented from a combined diesel eLectric or diesel (CODLOD) hybrid system, with lessons learned to address newly arisen challenges.
Developments in shore-based testing to meet latest marine power system integration challenges
As navies continue to look for greater functionality of naval vessels, testing has become more prominent to provide confidence in vessels’ operation readiness. However, the complexity of systems, the functional flexibility and cost pressure have proved a hurdle to deliver a system at an acceptably low risk. This paper mainly discusses the latest development in full-scale shore-based testing (FSSBT) and how it can help to de-risk significant challenges in naval electrical propulsion through maximization of equipment re-usage and platform fidelity.
Moving from planned to condition-based maintenance
This paper explores how analytics can be used to help in predicting the future condition of a vessel’s assets. By enabling condition-based maintenance (CBM), performing maintenance when there is evidence of need, data analytics can potentially reduce downtime and create significant cost savings. The paper covers two key topics, which are necessary in realizing the potential benefits: 1) data collection and centralization, and 2) diagnostics of asset health and future prognosis. Considerations for the implementations of CBM, including benefits, challenges and examples are also provided.
Integration, optimization and benefits of energy storage for marine applications
This paper provides an overview of potential applications and describes control strategies used and then considers methods to improve the available technologies related to power system control and protection, diesel engine response to network fluctuations and design of modern E-storage systems. The paper will also present the multiple energy store configuration, the main challenges and top-level topologies considered to meet these requirements.
Earth fault detection and protection for transformer-less active front-end converters
Electric propulsion is preferred for many vessel types due to a number of merits. However, the system is also vulnerable for experiencing the common mode voltage caused by an earth fault, which will consequently bring thermal stress and damage to components. In this paper, a novel detection method based on an equivalent circuit approach will be presented. It is able to identify the earth fault at any location and discriminate the faulty drive. Its implementations and settings of the protection will be suggested, and experimental results will be presented.
“GE is continually setting industry standards and is at the forefront in providing innovative solutions. As a long-term global partner for some of the largest navies in the world, GE’s technology is among the most reliable and advanced available for building the advanced naval capabilities necessary for the 21st century,” said Tim Schweikert, president and CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions business. “GE has also been an active sponsor for the INEC event, one of the foremost professional events in naval engineering. We value the opportunity to connect minds of various leading stakeholders in the military space and drive the debate for building a more reliable and capable future for the navy.”
For more information, visit www.gemarinesolutions.com.
