Analysis of the Use of Electric Drive Systems for Crew Transfer Vessels Servicing Offshore Wind Farms

Abstract

The article presents issues related to the possibility of using electric propulsion systems in units used to transport crews servicing wind towers at sea. Offshore wind energy issues are discussed. Proposals for electric propulsion systems that could be used on units for transporting crews servicing offshore wind farms are presented. The possibility of using purely electrical drive systems or hybrid drive systems operating in a diesel-electric configuration is analyzed. By observing the motion of real CTV units, based on the data from the MarineTraffic service, a mathematical simulation model was developed, for which a number of simulations were carried out in the Modelica environment. The developed mathematical model takes into account the dynamic loads acting on the ship’s hull, hydrodynamic resistances, electric and diesel propulsion systems’ properties together with their individual elements’ characteristics. The tests of the electric propulsion system showed reduced fuel consumption (approx. 60%) and harmful gas emissions to the atmosphere (approximately 70%) in relation to conventional, internal combustion engine propulsion.

Experimental Method for the Measurements and Numerical Investigations of Force Generated on the Rotating Cylinder under Water Flow

“…In the present study, the strongest vibrations were observed for the cylinder of the largest diameter starting from α = 4.8. The presented study described the method of reliable experimental prediction of the hydrodynamic force as a first part of further studies on the active control of rotor-generated flow [ 22 ] and bow steering system for river barges and vessels with expected good maneuverability, operated under current, wind, and waves [ 23 ]. The novelty of the paper is the investigation on the possibility of modeling the rotor-generated hydrodynamic force for the low aspect cylinders.…”

“…The presented study described the method of reliable experimental prediction of the hydrodynamic force as a first part of further studies on the active control of rotor-generated flow [ 22 ] and bow steering system for river barges and vessels with expected good maneuverability, operated under current, wind, and waves [ 23 ].…”

Effectiveness of Multidimensional Controllers Designated to Steering of the Motions of Ship at Low Speed

“…3 for Robust controller in 700 [s]. Multidimensional controllers can also be used in small ships used in autonomous transport systems in coastal and inshore waters [ 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Vector control strategy of the five-phase VSI

“…Furthermore electric drives are also used in vessels' drive systems. An example of a vessel servicing crew transfer from off-shore wind farms is analyzed in [4], as using electric drives in vessels leads to a significant reduction in fuel consumption. It seems that the development of two and multilevel three-phase converters is continually maintained, particularly in the application domain [5].…”