DC-HUB SOLUTIONS KEY TO STREAMLINING DRIVE DESIGN

Paul Atherton, General Manager, Operation Unit Norway, explains why Yaskawa Environmental Energy/The Switch’s holistic approach to designing DC power distribution solutions is a game-changer in power drive design

“Our individual DC-Hub building blocks are standardized, but which modules and how many of each a project requires can vary with the spec – that’s the essence of standardized tailoring. It’s all about scalability, flexibility, ease of system integration and reducing lead and execution times.”

The marine power drives market has undergone a key evolution in recent years. While there is still strong demand for single drive applications that require a dedicated cabinet for each application, the new trend is towards centralizing multiple drives in a common cabinet. That resulted in the strategic development of The Switch DC-Hub as a robust multi-source, multi-load DC system that includes several converters in the same unit.

“Opting to use conventional AC systems versus centralized DC distribution and DC-Hubs really depends on the operational profile of the vessel. However, the larger batteries and/or fuel cells that ships will increasingly be equipped with are DC energy producers, so a DC-Hub is the most efficient option. Our solution is also purpose-built for the marine market, unlike other offerings that have been modified from other industries,” says Atherton.

Building block philosophy

Even though each DC-Hub project is unique, the company can still perform efficient engineering because a Hub or Hubs can be assembled using different standardized building blocks. “In one project, there can be two active front-end building blocks and one motor inverter (MI) and an EBL. Another project might feature our DC/DC chopper. Projects can have any variation of number and type of modules, just like LEGO. Even though our standalone drives are products that share the building blocks used in the tailored DC-Hubs deliveries, every DC-Hub project shares the same foundation as the standalone drives,” he adds.

Systems integration legacy adds value

This holistic approach simplifies design for system integrators or OEMs, who can easily select and fit together different components for the design needs of each vessel, thus requiring less man-hours and customization. “We are a product supplier, but our own history in system integration gives us an inside understanding of customers’ needs – and the processes and challenges involved. Our Norwegian operations acquired in November 2016 formerly did system integrations for Wärtsilä, so our personnel are very familiar with power and energy management systems and other external vessel systems. They know first-hand how our drive components need to dovetail with them,” says Atherton.

Designed for optimal efficiency

The Switch DC-Hub offers a wide choice of power generation, energy storage, charging, propulsion power and clean power options for any ship system. “The solution cuts out costly conversions between AC and DC and is able to handle tens of megawatts of power, while at the same time reducing or eliminating the need for bulky components such as transformers. This reduces overall system weight and volume, further enhancing vessel performance and efficiency,” says Atherton.

Unique protection concept

DC distribution is in many cases more efficient than AC, but concerns about safety and reliability previously hampered its use. The Switch DC-Hub provides complete selectivity and ride-through capabilities for optimal protection and safety. “Our proprietary specialized protection tools – the Electronic DC Breaker (EDCB), Electronic Bus Link (EBL) and Battery Short-Circuit Limiter (BSCL) – limit short-circuit current and isolate any faulty parts ultra-fast, making low-voltage DC distribution safe with guaranteed redundancy built in. That’s a major differentiator for us versus the use of conventional fuse solutions that don’t ensure protection,” says Atherton.

While the EDCB deals with any power module failure inside a DC-Hub, the EBL ensures selectivity between DC-Hubs in the event of a fault, responding within 10 microseconds. “Even with a full short circuit in the DC-Hub or in the cables between DCHubs, the grid voltage typically drops less than 100 V from around 1,000 V DC,” says Atherton. The BSCL, meanwhile, establishes a protected connection between large batteries and existing electrical systems, limiting the short-circuit current from the batteries to a safe level.

Future-proofing energy sources and loads

8 Paul Atherton

ned to be can ew design, add a new DC-Hub gy source or r in when it uture-proofing a mportant e owner is making. tted in ropriate ning nate the erators ys ring tion Hub ure This on winrs,”

The Switch DC-Hub is designed to be extremely scalable and flexible. “While it can be customized to the specific needs of any new vessel design, using our EBLs you can easily add a new DCHub to the original DC-Hub ring to accommodate a new energy source or consumer. With no clear winner in sight when it comes to alternative fuels, future-proo vessel in this way is extremely important in view of the long-term investment the owner is making. The Hub can also be retrofitted in existing vessels and is especially appropriate for those with dynamic positioning (DP) operations where it can eliminate the need for numerous generators running in parallel,” Atherton says.

“To sum up, in addition to being very adaptable, standard tailoring affords much greater production control of the different DC-Hub building blocks, so we can assure availability for customers. This shortens the lead and execution time of projects, which is a winwin approach for all stakeholders,” he concludes.

Hosted by:

Book your place now

Freeports: Driving change for coastal

Delegate place includes:

•Conference attendance including lunch & refreshments

•Technical Visit

•Electronic documentation

• • attendees representing shipping lines, ports, logistics companies, terminal operators and freight organisations.

For more information on attending, events team: visit: coastlink.co.uk contact: +44 1329 825335 or email: info@coastlink.co.uk

Media partners: GREENPORT

Supporters: