Electric propulsion

With the increase in demand for alternate propulsion systems that not only improve the
overall efficiency of the ship but also reduce the carbon footprints, innovators in the shipping
industry are leaving no stone unturned to find a solution to this grave problem. With all the
options presently available at hand, electric propulsion system seems to have a promising
future.
The shipping industry has come a long way as far as ,, research and development for
reducing costs of propulsion without increasing marine pollution is concerned. The
conventional propulsion system of the ship is efficient but requires high operating costs and
increases the marine pollution. Among all the prospective alternate power sources, electrical
propulsion system is one of the best tried out alternative in todays time.

Overview
The electric propulsion system consists of a prime mover which may be of two types:
1. Diesel driven
2. Turbine or steam driven
Both the systems produce less pollution as compared to conventional marine
propulsion system, which involves burning of heavy oil.
The propeller shaft of the ship is connected to large motors, which can be D.C or A.C
driven and are known as propulsion motors. Power for propulsion motor is supplied by
the ships generator and prime mover assembly.

The generator can be direct or alternating current type with diesel or steam driven
prime mover, depending upon the requirement or demand of the owner/ship.
In the electrical propulsion system, the direction of the rotation of propeller is
governed by either the electrical control of the motor itself or by changing the electrical
supply.
Normally variable speed electrical motor is used for fixed pitch propeller system and
constant or variable can be used for variable pitch propeller or CPP.

Applications
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Tug and trawlers

Dredgers
Dynamic positioning vessels
Cable laying ship
Ice breakers
Research ship
Floating cranes
Vessels for offshore industries

The utilization of industrial technology is being pursued as a strategy for conquering the
initial cost disadvantage of electric propulsion systems. The electric propulsion system for
icebreakers described below had to have a high-power electric motor that offers load
characteristics that can provide a great deal of torque at low speed, and so it was developed by
applying electric motor technology for industrial steel mills, which provide similar torque
characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantage
The Electrical propulsion system has got a lot of advantages over the conventional
engine driven propulsion system, which is obviously increasing the demand for electrical
propulsion for merchant vessels. With advancement in technology and research, electrical
propulsion system is not limited to small boats and small vessels anymore.

A large amount of power is generated by the system and the excess power can be
utilised by supplying it to cargo pumps, fire pumps and other important auxiliary
machineries.
The space required for installation of electrical propulsion machinery is very less and
compact as compared to conventional system.
There is no direct connection of propeller shaft and prime mover and hence
transmission of severe stresses such as torsional and vibration is restricted.
There is more flexibility in installation of machineries.
It provides improved maneuverability and high redundancy.
Increased payload through flexible location of machinery components.
Environmental benefits from lower fuel consumption and emissions.
High performance in tough ice conditions due to maximum torque at zero speed.
Reduces lifecycle cost by less fuel consumption and maintenance cost.
Better comfort due to reduced vibration and noise.
Disadvantages

The efficiency of electrical plant is less than that of conventional system.

The installation cost of electrical propulsion plant is much higher.
Different and improved training for ships crew as the system is completely different
from mechanical system and involves major automation.

In real life
Electric propulsion has a promising future in the shipping industry among other ship
propulsion systems. Siemens along with Norwegian shipyard Fjellstrand they launched
worlds first electric ferry in 2015.
The worlds first electrically powered ferry has 80 meters and is able to carry 120 cars
and 360 passengers. The ship's batteries are able to recharge in just 10 minutes.
The electric catamaran ferry has been designed in order to generate least resistance
while in water. Two slim aluminium hulls have been used instead of steel in order to make
the ferry run smoothly through water.
The electric propulsion system has electric batteries weighing 10 metric tonnes to
drive the ships screws. Presently the ships plying on the routes of this ship's, use Diesel
engines, which use one million liters of diesel a year on an average and emits 570 metric
tonnes of carbon dioxide and 15 metric tonnes of nitrogen oxide. Electric propulsion ferry will
not only reduce fuel consumption but will also work a great deal towards reducing carbon
emissions.
The most important feature of the electric propulsion ferry is that it will take only 10
minutes to recharge in the breaks. This would be a great point to increase the frequency of
ferry and improve connectivity between the villages. However, the local electrical grids of the
villages will not be able to supply the power to recharge the ferries in such a short time. To
solve this issue, batteries have been installed at the ports which will recharge the electric
ferries in ten minutes and themselves slowly get recharged from the local grid.