N093-189 TITLE: Smart Power Load-Leveling Control for Energy Efficient, Advanced Distribution Systems

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NAVSEA21, PMS400F, CAPT Robin Russell

OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced control system including the associated algorithms and governing methodologies that will provide the capability to monitor and adjust energy generation, energy storage, and system loads for enhanced shipboard performance.

DESCRIPTION: It is anticipated that next generation platforms will require larger amounts of high-quality, clean, on-demand power than the existing fleet. Recent developments in highly-efficient energy generation concepts such as hybrid drive, fuel cells, and waste heat recovery systems are attracting attention as the Navy works to lower current and future fleet operational costs. However, cost, space and weight limitations make it impractical to provide dedicated energy storage for every load. Instead the Navy is seeking to direct the stored and/or generated power to the active loads on as needed basis. If shared generation is properly controlled, the system will serve to reduce fuel consumption and minimize the reactive power present in existing AC distribution systems, while still providing the level of power required to conduct and complete the mission. Currently, the list of power management functions are dispersed in independent system controllers that at times do not communicate in a coordinated fashion to provide an overall system response, do not account for system dynamics that are representative of pulsed loads, and manage loads predominately using a load blocking mechanism to ensure that adequate available generation power is present before a load is energized.

This topic seeks innovative approaches to optimize the synergy between these new potential distribution assets via an integrated monitoring and control system. The integrated system will provide sailors with the ability to automatically configure and manage the distribution assets and ensure 1) maximized use of power generation assets is and 2) sufficient power / redundancy is available to meet mission demands.

Proposed concepts should address the ability to provide the following functions:
1. Able to handle power distribution between current and anticipated energy generation sources.
2. Ensure power quality, availability, and survivability.
3. Proactively and seamlessly respond to large load requests.
4. Awareness of the present distribution configuration and ability to automatically determine the optimal requested load configuration.
5. Assure that each load is properly powered using the best storage / generation assets available to match the demand.
6. Compensate for Integrated Power System (IPS) and hybrid electric drive propulsion dynamics coupled onto the distribution bus.
7. Avoid inducing distribution instabilities during reconfigurations for energy efficiency.
8. Work synergistically with other power algorithms handling dynamics, reconfigurations, etc.

In the near-term this system could be deployed to the existing fleet, integrating with the hybrid electric propulsion / generation system, optimizing the power available from ship�s propulsion, ship�s service and energy storage sources to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Future generations of this system may be required to work with a variety of stored and or dynamic energy sources such as fuel cells, flywheels, anti-roll fluid turbines, propellor regeneration and other renewable resources, and handle more demanding load applications with the Navy�s next-generation IPS.

PHASE I: Research the potential feasibility of an integrated monitoring and control system that will provide the capability to monitor and adjust energy generation, energy storage, and loads for enhanced shipboard process performance. Provide a functional description of how such a system would operate, and what the associated hardware and software requirements would be. As applicable, research/develop computer models that will demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the proposed concept. Identify potential distributed control strategies that could achieve the desired power quality, availability, and survivability. Establish validation goals and metrics to analyze the feasibility of the proposed solution. Provide a Phase II development approach and schedule that contains discrete milestones for product development.

PHASE II: Finalize the design concept from Phase I, complete the R&D needed to develop a working solution/theory, and fabricate a prototype in order to evaluate the developed algorithms and strategies. Validate prototype capabilities using laboratory testing and provide results. Demonstrate proposed installation, maintenance, and performance of the monitoring and control system. Develop testing procedures to measure the effectiveness of the system and develop a plan for an installation and testing onboard ship. As appropriate, provide a detailed plan for software certification and validation.

PHASE III: Working with the Navy, install and test at the Land Based Engineering Station in Philadelphia. Provide detail drawings and specifications. Technology will have potential to transition to all US Navy platforms that utilize advanced generation and energy distribution systems for fuel efficiency and high power loads.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Smart distribution systems that optimally manage distributed generation operation will become increasing important to provide facilities with high reliability power for information systems (i.e., sensitive and critical loads) while minimizing energy costs. As these costs continue to rise, typical industrial sites will be relying more on multiple alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind, along with energy storage technologies. In order to maximize the return of investment in alternative energy sources, industry will need the capability for controlling assets based on efficiency and life cycle costs.

REFERENCES:
1. Borbely, A. and Kreider, J.F. "Distributed Generation: The Power Paradigm for the New Millennium", CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2001.

2. Ackermann, T. Knyazkin, V., "Interaction Between Distributed Generation and the Distribution Network: Operation Aspects". Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exhibition. 2002.

3. "Shipboard Electric Power Distribution: AC Versus DC Is Not the Issue, Rather, How Much of Each Is the Issue"; LCDR John V. Amy Jr. PhD, Mr. David H. Clayton and Mr. Rolf O. Kotacka; All Electric Ship 98 Conference.2nd ed., vol. 3, J. Peters, Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964, pp. 15-64.

4. DDG51 Specifications on Control Consoles and Control Systems. (electrical and physical limits)

KEYWORDS: Energy Efficiency; Load Leveling; Distributed Generation; IPS; Electric Ship

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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