All-electric mega-yachts: integrated power system operation and its interaction with propulsion converters

More and more commercial and pleasure modern ships are equipped with electric propulsion system, which is the most important and power-consuming electric apparatus onboard. The significant increase in the power required onboard by the adoption of electric propulsion causes a great evolution in onboard power systems and poses the need for a proper development of design techniques and tools. At the same time, the traditional approach for onboard power system design based on experience and rules of thumb is becoming no longer adequate. This paper deals with this evolving scenery, and mainly concerns power system design and power quality aspects. Real data and measurements are provided with reference to a new-built mega-yacht. The work, in progress, aims to set up a complete electric model of the all-electric ship to allow simulation of different operating conditions and to predict the main power quality issues and the fulfillment of the relevant technical rules.