Analysis and improvement of power quality in the onboard electrical power systems within a self-propelled floating crane

• The study investigates shipboard power systems and distortion evaluation in “EXPERT 3.” • The study analyzes distortions in converter-based propulsion systems with variable-frequency drives. • The study confirms MATLAB model accuracy at ship synchronous generators. • The paper introduces a resonance-based compensating device, validated experimentally. • The research investigates methods for managing high-frequency disturbances. This research addresses electromagnetic compatibility and power quality (EMC and PQ) challenges in shipboard electric power systems (SEPS) with dynamic positioning (DP) capabilities, focusing on the self-propelled floating crane (SPFC) “EXPERT 3.” Our goal is to enhance methodologies for evaluating power quality indicators (PQI) related to voltage and current waveform distortions, specifically in converter-based propulsion complexes (CBPCs) featuring variable-frequency regulated asynchronous drives (VFDs). We investigate harmonic current and voltage distortions, reactive power generation, and power factor (PF) in SEPS “EXPERT 3″ during the operation of VFDs with conventional semiconductor power converters (SPCs). A refined MATLAB model considers equipment and cable network parameters, validating distortion indicators at ship synchronous generators (SGs). PQI compliance with international maritime standards is verified at the point of common coupling (PCC) for various VFD configurations with pulse width modulated (PWM) SPCs and filter-compensating devices (FCDs). We propose an improved controlled FCD (CFCD) incorporating a resonance filter (RF) and a controllable reactor compensator (CRC). CFCD efficiency in various VFD configurations is experimentally validated. We analyze harmonic distortions of voltage and current, including high-frequency (HF) commutations in VFDs with input thyristor-based rectifiers (TBRs), considering parasitic ”phase-hull“ capacitances of cable line segments (CLS). Our study examines harmonics in CBPC-based SEPS in two sub-frequency ranges: low-frequency (LF) − 0 to 2 kHz and high-frequency (HF) − 2 kHz to 500 kHz.© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.