Reducing Power Load Fluctuations on Ships Using Power Redistribution Control

A new controller to reduce the load fluctuations generated by consumers operating in marine power systems is proposed. The controller redistributes the power from consumers that generate load fluctuations to thrusters that compensate for fluctuations. This provides a cancellation of load disturbances sensed by generators. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is demonstrated through simulation studies on a supply vessel power plant, using the SIMULINK/MATLAB software package. The simulation results show that the controller contributes significantly toward improving the network stability and the dynamic behavior of the system under a wide range of operating and weather conditions. This results in increased operational safety of the vessel, extended equipment life, and reduced fuel consumption, exhaust gas emissions, and maintenance costs on the engines.