Published by J. Mindykowski2, E. Szmit1, T. Tarasiuk2
1 Polish Register of Shipping, Electrical and Automation Department
2 Department of Marine Electrical Power Engineering of Gdynia Maritime University
1.Introduction
The issue of electric power quality onboard ships has seemed of utmost importance, in particular nowadays when a great progress in implementation of electric drives for ship’s thrusters, propellers and other smaller drives is evident. Ship’s electric power systems are isolated power systems. Similar systems are installed on aircraft, oil platforms and small islands, in industrial plants with seasonal character of operation and also as emergency electric supply systems in banks, hospitals, hotels, large supermarkets and skyscrapers [1], [2]. Characteristics of those systems are: scarce in other cases proportion of single consumer power to electric source power (some consumer powers are often comparable to generator power supplying them) [3] and relatively high short-circuit impedance of generators installed in the systems under consideration [1]. Finally, electromagnetic disturbances observed in isolated power systems are more serious than those observed in large connected systems in their normal operation. What is unique in ships power systems ? Answer is simple. System is installed on mobile object – the ship – and simultaneously is deciding for its operational control. Effects of incorrect system operation can be very serious and consequences of ship’s casualties are known very well from the news. Indeed, question of the electromagnetic disturbances determining electric energy quality in ship’s power systems has not only technical aspect and / or vessel operational safety. Paltry quality of electrical energy on ships has also its economic dimension. In spite of relatively not big power (normally no more than few MVA) of a single electric plant, large number of ships (30 395 of 1000 gt and above as of 1.01.2003 [4]) shows the measure of presented problem excellently.
2.Electromagnetic disturbances in ship’s power networks
Wide spectrum of electromagnetic disturbances, radiated and conducted, is present in the ship’s electric networks causing disorder in their element operation. Typical conducted, and particularly prolonged disturbances, as:
- voltage and frequency variations;
- voltage asymmetry;
- distortions caused by harmonics, inter-harmonics, transient pulse disturbances;
- improper distribution of active and reactive power between generating sets working in parallel.
The disturbances introduce many difficulties into operation of the ship’s crew and owner’s technical service, independently on basic value – the ship’s safety. Electric and electronic devices, the power network elements are the “causes” of disturbances and at the same time the “victims” of the waveform distortions. Ragged design and carrying out of installation give rise to the EMC disturbances, often causing the asymmetry and voltage level changes. Switching process in distribution switchgears and electrical consumers and also overvoltage during fuse blow out were traditionally causes of signal distortion in power network. Presently distortions are caused by still more popular power electronic converting systems used in machinery auxiliary drives, but not only. Drives consisting of power converters are applied to thrusters, big technological consumers and main propellers of the vessels. Marine generating sets are “weak” power sources (with 15-20 % impedance) compared to “stiff” sources (4-6 % impedance) more common in land industrial applications.
Converters of electrical power in co-operation with so weak power sources generate harmonic and inter-harmonic distortions causing inadmissible disturbances in power system. Distortions 15% and even 20% and above were observed onboard ships many times [5], [6], [7].
The examples of all above mentioned disturbances, i.e. voltage and frequency deviations, voltage asymmetry and distortions of voltage waveform are shown in Fig 1 to 5. Presented examples are the original results of some tests which were carried out on ships by personnel of Marine Electrical Power Engineering Department of Gdynia Maritime University. The test purpose was to settle the real voltage parameters (in fact its quality), supplying Main Distribution Boards of examined ships.
Fig. 1 represents variations of voltage rms value during the start-up and running of the thruster driven by 1,3 MW electric motor, when two generators with power 1,75 MVA each operated parallel. In that case overload of ship’s electric power plant had caused automatic switching off a less important services and next switching on the third generator with the same power, for parallel operation. Fig. 2 shows frequency variations for that case accordingly.
Voltage asymmetry in the system with nominal parameters Un=440 V and fn=60 Hz is shown in Fig. 3. Presented voltage asymmetry is so interesting because one can see harmonic distortion and pulse interference, too. Phenomena observed in that example were caused by shaft generator with power converter working on ship’s network with simultaneous failure of harmonic filter (3-phase LC passive filter).
Next two presented samples are also from the ship equipped with shaft generator working in network through power converter. However in that case all system components were operating correctly. Fig. 4 shows voltage inter-harmonic and harmonic distortion, e.g. interharmonic quantity is ca. 0,4% at frequency ca. 150 Hz when total harmonic distortion THD amounts 4,4% on Main Distribution Board 220 V bus-bars. It means that between power converter and the connection point of measuring apparatus, transformer attenuating commutation over-voltage was present. Fig. 5 shows the same measurement however measuring instrument was connected directly to 440 V bus-bars. In that case one can see the notching caused by commutation over-voltage in power converter. The THD coefficient amounts 13,5% for that case.
Finally, it is worth to present an example of distribution of active power between generating sets working in parallel. Such an example registered during ship manoeuvring has been shown in Fig. 6. There have been two generating sets working in parallel during analysed phenomenon. The active power load of generating set no 2 (PG2) has been depicted by bold line.
It should be stressed that improper distribution of the active (as well as reactive) load can be hazardous. It may cause artificial overload and real collapse of whole supply system (switching operating generators off). The possible risk, especially during manoeuvring, can be hardly overstated.
The last of presented examples (Fig. 6) results from joint research of Marine Electrical Power Engineering Department of Gdynia Maritime University and Electrical and Automation Department of Polish Register of Shipping.
3. Harmonic distortions cause a lot of damages in electrical power system
Harmonic distortions can cause following typical damages to and malfunction of most elements and units of ship’s power network [10]:
Electric power sources:
- Overheating and, in result, damage to bearings, winding and sheets packages of generators, because of a premature thermal ageing of insulation.
Electrical power consumers:
- Overheating of the stator and rotor of fixed speed electric motors, risk of bearing damage because of the motor high temperature, additional rises of insulation temperature and its premature thermal ageing. A special hazard is present in the case of explosion proof motors operating in explosion hazardous areas. Unintentional tripping of circuit-breaker protections, interference with all control, electrical and electronic systems including radio- navigation and communication equipment, lighting, etc.
Electrical energy networks:
- Overheating of cables as result of decreased ability to carry rated current because of reduction of effective cable cross section area by so called skin effect, also risk of cable damage due to resonance.
- Overheating and premature thermal ageing of transformer sheets packages and winding insulation.
It is important that harmonic distortion are present together with voltage and frequency variation and also voltage asymmetry, most frequent. Fig. 3 shows it. Negative synergy effect of above mentioned phenomena can be expected for many power consumers. That kind of interference synergy was discovered in tests of temperature rises in induction motor windings at different supply conditions [11].
4. Harmonic distortion – the past and the present time
Ian C Evans, author of “Harmonic Mitigation for AC Thruster & Small Propulsion Drives”, advises that one of the classification societies have noted 24% voltage distortion (UTHD) in an offshore installation tested. He also says that voltage distortion of 12 – 19 % is relatively common, albeit not continuous in these installations, where up to 85% of the electrical load consists of electric drives [6, 7]. Distortion level measured on ships’ bus-bars by Department of Marine Electrical Power Engineering of Gdynia Maritime University are described in [3, 9, 11] and confirm international observations. However, the classification societies determined harmonic distortion limit on 5-10% level recognising possibility of serious faults of the electric network and, in result, general safety of the ship [14, 15].
Table 1. Results of voltage distortions measured in different vessels [5], [6], [7], [9]
It shows, a gap is between ships practice and classification societies attitude. Problem is that, classification societies determining harmonic level limits did not assign the method of their testing onboard. However, the limits of electric power disturbances were stated when the risk caused by power-electronic elements and systems was not present. DC driving systems not generating so serious interference had dominated on ships at that time
5. Harmonic mitigation – the present time and the future
Global forecasts give information about several times growth of power electronic (measured in the million USD of installed “electric” propeller value or “electric” ship’s number) [7]. It enhances the issue.
Individual classification societies have to revise their rules in connection with the fast development of the AC drives introducing many of harmonic and inter-harmonic distortions. These is the opinion of classification societies, marine electricians and electrical equipment producers. Recently some modifications of industrial standards were done. Many of the IEC and IEEE standards concerning permissible levels of electrical power parameters determining its quality and measuring methods are present now [16], [17], [18]. Polish and international standard PN-IEC 60092-101 “Electrical installations in ships – Part 101: Definitions and general requirements” has also set up many limits of quality parameters of electrical power [19]. Some exemplary parameters of that standard are placed in Table 2
Table 2. Chosen quality parameters of electrical power stated by PN-IEC 60092-101 standard
However none of classification societies have implemented many of that parameters into their rules up to now. Continuous monitoring of electric power quality is not also carried out onboard, presently. Sometimes some observations, occasional measurements are being carried out but they are not adequate solution because of large variation of power quality parameters during ship’s operation. It is worth to note that some producers of power system control devices are introducing some means of power quality verification but it can not be considered as a global solution.
The expected development of electric drives for ship propulsion is the next and new challenge for marine specialists. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce special requirements for electromagnetic interference prevention (by correction of energy parameters in ship’s electrical power system) and their effects (by increasing of consumers immunity) and also to monitor power quality in ship’s networks. Possibility of current control has appeared with the development of transducer technology and advanced method of electrical signal processing and also specialised devices for real time data processing. High yet prices of suitable systems are decreasing continuously (cost of signal processor amounts from a few to a several hundred dollars) [10].
6. Conclusion
Tests, studies and analysis carried out during research onboard ships indicate necessity of complex solution of power quality problem in ships power systems, unequivocally. Specific means to prevent against electromagnetic disturbances and their effects are required. It may be done by correction of power quality in ship’s power systems and improvement of the electric consumers’ EMC immunity. On the other hand monitoring of electrical power quality is needed. Therefore problem of electrical power quality and its assessment should be one of priority in designing, construction, classification and utilisation of ship’s electric systems, now and in the future. It is evident that on the one hand the matter applies to shipyards and ship’s owners and on the other to classification societies surveying ships production and exploitation processes [20].
Suitable solution of that problem requires sufficient knowledge and experience. The preparation of appropriate staff for shipyards, owners and classification societies, as well as research of new methods and ways to limit the influence of poor power quality on the effective economically and safe operation of ships are the tasks of maritime universities.
Bibliography:
[1] De Abreu J.P., De Sa J.S., Prado C.C.: Harmonic voltage distortion in isolated electric systems. 7th International Conference “Electrical Power Quality and Utilization” Kraków, 17-19 September 2003, pp. 469-472.
[2] Dzwonkowski A.: Niezawodność zasilania wybranych obiektów przemysłowych o sezonowym charakterze pracy. Przegląd Elektrotechniczny Nr 6/2003, pp.452-456.
[3] Tarasiuk T.: Analiza metod i układów do wyznaczania wskaźników jakości energii w okrętowych systemach elektroenergetycznych. Rozprawa doktorska, Politechnika Gdańska, Gdańsk 2001.
[4] Shipping Statistics and Market Review Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics Nr 4, April 2003
[5] Reinecke H., Schild W.: Harmonics in main electric supply systems with semiconductor rectifiers and subsequent methods of compensation. IMECE’91 China, pp. 1-10.
[6] Evans Ian C: Harmonic Mitigation for AC Thrusters & Small Propulsion Drives. The Harmonic Solutions Co. Uk.
[7] Evans Ian C: Electric Ships, The future is electric, Driving ahead – the progress of electric propulsion The Motor Ship, September 2003, pp. 28-33.
[8] Dudojć B., Mindykowski J.: Pomiary diagnostyczne filtrów harmonicznych jako instrument do poprawy jakości energii w sieciach okrętowych. Prace Naukowe Katedry Elektroenergetyki Okrętowej; Zeszyt monograficzny 1997, pp. 120-131.
[9] Mindykowski J., Szweda M., Tarasiuk T.: Measurement equipment for ships electrical power systems; Proceedings of the 20 th IEEE Instrumentation and Technology Conference, Como, Italy 2004, pp. 1367-1372.
[10] Szmit E., Mindykowski J., Tarasiuk T.: Zaburzenia elektromagnetyczne na statkach to wspólny problem armatorów, stoczni, uczelni morskich i towarzystw klasyfikacyjnych. Budownictwo Okrętowe, No 3/2004 March 2004, pp. 30-31.
[11] Gnaciński P., Mindykowski J., Tarasiuk T., Influence of electrical power quality on induction cage machine durability. 7th International Conference “Electrical Power Quality and Utilization” Kraków, 17-19 September 2003, pp. 455-462.
[12] Polski Rejestr Statków – Publication 11/P “Environmental tests of marine equipment”, Gdańsk 2002.
[13] IACS Unified Requirements – E10 “Testing procedure for electrical, control and instrumentation equipment, computers and peripherals covered by classification. IACS Blue Book
[14] Lloyds Register – Classification of Ships Rules and Regulations, Part 6 “Control, Electrical, Refrigeration and Fire”, January 1998.
[15] Germanischer Lloyd – Rules for Classification and Construction, Volume I Part 1 “Seagoing Ships” Chapter 3 “Electrical Installations”, Edition 1998
[16] PN-EN 6100-2-4 “Electromagnetic compatibility EMC) Part 2: Environment Section 4: Compatibility levels in industrial plants for low frequency conducted disturbances”.
[17] IEC 61000-4-30 “Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Testing and Measurement Techniques – Power Quality Measurement Methods”.
[18] IEEE 1159:1995 IEEE “Recommended Practice on Monitoring Electric Power Quality”.
[19] PN-IEC 60092-101 “Electrical installations in ships – Part 101: Definitions and general requirements”.
[20] Szmit E., Mindykowski J., Tarasiuk T.: Jakość energii elektrycznej na statkach wspólnym problemem armatorów, stoczni, uczelni morskich i towarzystw klasyfikacyjnych. Fair of Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering and Lighting Techniques “Electric Wiring”, session “Electrical Power Quality”, Proceedings edited by Stowarzyszenie Elektryków Polskich Oddział Gdańsk, Gdańsk 2004, pp. 23-30.
ResearchGate, Article, January 2004.
Source URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237640225_Electric_power_quality_and_ship’s_safety
Power Quality Blog 