Naval Energy Advanced Control System
Navy SBIR FY2014.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.1
Topic No.: N141-031
Topic Title: Naval Energy Advanced Control System
Proposal No.: N141-031-0037
Firm: Physical Optics Corporation
Applied Technologies Division
1845 West 205th Street
Torrance, California 90501
Contact: Mohamad Zahzah
Phone: (310) 320-3088
Web Site: www.poc.com
Abstract: To address the Navy need for innovative power management approaches for a shipboard power grid to effectively manage power for advanced high-power loads, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel new Naval Energy Advanced Control (NEAC) system incorporating smart-grid-based distributed energy generation, supply/demand balancing, bidirectional power flows, and real-time information monitoring. An intuitive and user-friendly human/machine interface will display status and diagnostic information and enable a single crew member to manage all aspects of the NEAC system. This highly adaptive and scalable algorithm design, with real-time energy power analysis and control, enables the use of distributed localized control of generation, storage, and load assets to coordinate and optimize the use of the ship's electric power capacity and provide increased intelligence and operation with increased energy efficiency. In Phase I, POC will determine the scientific, technical, and commercial feasibility of the NEAC technology to ensure that it meets Navy thresholds. POC will evaluate the relevant parameters of the NEAC system with a small-scale demonstration. In Phase II, POC will finalize the Phase I design concept and demonstrate the technology by testing a prototype to show its potential to meet Navy needs.
Benefits: The NEAC technology can be easily adapted to the control and monitoring of commercial power systems. Industrial facilities could improve their energy efficiency through configurable source monitoring and power switching. Residential applications include converting a home to use a mix of "green" power sources, with a greater reliance on alternate energy resources during times of peak demand on the local grid. Critical branch circuits in hospitals would benefit directly from the NEAC system's ability to switch in alternate or even additional power sources to preserve the quality of service delivered to uninterruptible loads. The NEAC system technology can also be easily adapted to the control and monitoring of commercial power systems.

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