Control and Evaluation of Distributed Electrical Generators Buffered by Energy Storage
Abstract
The Navy continues to employ more electrical loads within its fleet and this requires that the onboard power generation be increased accordingly. Historically, the Navy has relied on large diesel and gas-turbine generators to supply power. Loads have been largely continuous and predictable allowing the generators to be run efficiently while maintaining sufficient power quality. Future electric al loads may operate with much less predictability. Simply scaling up the size or even the number of large generators may not be the right way for the Navy to meet this demand. Instead, it may be much more feasible to install many smaller generators that can be br ought up and operated as needed. When not needed, they can be left off, reducing wear and tear, reducing maintenance costs, and incr easing usable life. Because it takes time to spin up a generator, energy storage is likely required to provide ride through when a v ital load must be sourced quickly or when a generator goes down unexpectedly. Depending on the power and duration of the loads being serviced, there are many different energy storage options that could be used and should be considered. It is proposed here that the University of Texas at Arlingtons (UTAs) Pulsed Power and Energy Laboratory (PPEL) perform a modeling and simulation (M&S) study to evaluate the optimal use of smaller generators buffered with energy storage to meet the Navys future electrical load demands.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112970
Entities
People
- David A. Wetz
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Texas at Arlington