Predictive on-board power management for all-electric ships with DC distribution architecture

In this paper, a predictive power management algorithm is proposed for all-electric ships with DC power distribution architecture with which it is insured that the provided power by each set of the Diesel-Generator-Rectifier (DGR) settles around the optimal point on Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) curve of the diesel engine. To increase the stability of the on-board power system, using this algorithm, it is also guaranteed that the provided power by DGRs does not undergo tremendous changes over short time intervals. Prior to the algorithm introduction, the paper deals with the modeling of the DC power and propulsion system as well as one dimensional ship hydrodynamics model. Furthermore, a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm is proposed for the purpose of ship surge motion control where the demanded power over a bounded horizon is computed to be used later by the power management algorithm.