Diesel-Electric Propulsion System

for P&O Cruise Liner “Aurora”

 Diesel Electric Propulsion System
A Propulsion System with a High Level of Redundancy
Main Data
Length overall approx. 270 m
Breadth 32.20 m
Design draught approx. 7.9 m
Gross measurement est. 76000 t
Passenger cabins 934
Service Speed 24 knots
Power plant 56.0 MW
Propulsion drives 2 x 20 MW
Thruster drives 4 x 1.5 MW
Chiller drives 3 x 1.35 MW
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SAM Electronics´ system responsibility for:
Diesel-electric propulsion system, electrical
power generation and power distribution system;
integrated navigation system
Propulsion and power components supplied by
SAM Electronics:
n 2 diesel-electric main propulsion drives with:
- 2 double-winding synchronous motors
20 MW, 140 rpm
- 2 synchro-converters 12/12-pulse, each
with two pure water coolers and two
redundant excitation and control systems in
master/slave-configuration
- 8 cast resin propulsion transformers 8.4 MVA
n 6 diesel generators
4 x 17.5 MVA, 6.6 kV, 60 Hz, 514 rpm
2 x 1.25 MVA, 690 V, 60 Hz, 1800 rpm
n Switchboards 6.6 kV with 11 and 12 panels for
medium voltage distribution
n 4 harmonic filter banks reducing the total
harmonic distortion of the mains voltage to
max. 5 %
n 8 ring main substation units 4 x 1.5 MVA and
4 x 1.1 MVA incl. medium and low voltage
switchboards and cast resin transformers for
low voltage supply
n 5 cast resin transformers for engine room and
emergency switchboard supply
n 7 AC motors 4 x 1.5 MW, 6.6 kV, 1200 rpm for
thrusters and 3 x 1.35 MW, 6.6 kV, 3600 rpm
for air-condition compressors
General
For the new flagship of P&O, built at Meyer
Shipyard, SAM Electronics was selected as main
contractor for the complete electric power
generation, main power distribution and the
electric propulsion system. Based on the existing
experience acquired from the delivery of more
than 140 electrical propulsion drives, SAM
Electronics has taken over also the system
responsibility for the power generation in
combination with the propulsion system.
Mathematical models as well as own software
simulation programs allow precise predictions
concerning the behaviour and the quality of the
power network. The ”Aurora“ is designed as a
passenger vessel with a very high standard for all
accommodation areas. This high standard is
consequently achieved also for the machinery,
especially for the propulsion system. Intensive
safety requirements of P&O lead to a design with
a high level of redundancy. This guarantees a high
availability under all sailing conditions.
System Description
The ”Aurora“ is equipped with four diesel
generators providing all electric energy for the
propulsion, all machinery and hotel consumers.
The medium voltage switchboard is split into two
sections, which feed all essential consumers. A
ring bus system supplies all substations via two
short circuit current limitation reactors. Two fixed
pitch propellers, each driven by a synchroconverter
system, provide the required propulsion power.
Chiller and thruster motors with direct on line
start are connected to the medium voltage
switchboard. Four filter circuits ensure a low
harmonic distortion factor.
Synchro-Converter Drive Design
Each propulsion motor is designed as six phase
salient pole synchronous machine with air
cooling. Both of the winding systems are fed by
separate converters. This results for the motor in a
12-pulse torque ripple and a smooth operation.
Each of this two converters, which are feeding one
motor, is supplied by 2 parallel transformers with
a 30° shift for a 12-pulse line reaction. This design
provides an unchanged harmonic signature with a
12 pulse line reaction also in case of operation
with only one of the converters. The two
converters are consequently realised with their
own control, excitation and coolingcircuits. The
converter power section is designed as direct
water cooled system to reduce the dimensions.
Switchboard Design
The 6,6 kV voltage switchboard is designed in two
separated parts con-nected by SF 6 tie breakers.
For the main consumers like generators SF 6
breakers are used, for the smaller outgoing panels
with a higher switching sequence contactors are
used. A very compact arrangement was achieved
with double stock compartments. The substations
operate with separate SF 6 insulated switchboards
feeding three winding transformers.
Propulsion Redundancy
Concept
The ”Aurora“ is equipped with an exceptional high
level of redundancy. Beside the two propulsion
motors there are in total four independent
converters. One converter is connected to one
winding system of the motor. It is controlled and
monitored by it´s own control system. The same
applies for the water cooling circuit, where the
power part of each converter is separately cooled.
Each converter is even equipped with an excitation
system, which will be automatically switched over
in case of a failure. Each converter uses separate
sensors, so the monitoring is independent from
each other. As special design aspect each converter
is designed for 140% of it´s nominal power. This
built-in spare power will be activated automati-
cally, if only one converter is in operation. A total
converter power of 28 MW is therefore installed
per shaftline. Beside the lower temperature level
in normal operation mode this power provides in
case of operation with one converter a very low
reduction of speed. Tests show a reduction of only
one knot. This allows the vessel to maintain it´s
time schedule.
Consequently all power and auxiliary feedings for
one shaftline are supplied from different distribu-
tion switchboards. Also the filter circuits follow
the principle of redundancy. In case of a problem
with one of the filters, an unlimited operation is
possible without any restrictions. The benefit of
this concept is an availability of a partial higher
propulsion power in case of a converter failure.
Telediagnostic System
The propulsion system is equipped with intensive
diagnostic and failure identification systems. A
transient recorder for storing data in a memory is
provided as standard since many years for all
SAM Electronics synchro-converters. Now a
telediagnostic system is realised, which allows a
service engineer to perform an instantaneous
evaluation of an event from his home office via
satcom. The service engineer can perform the
same analysis as being locally at the converter
board. In many cases the failure can be corrected
by the ships staff engineers by data transmission
and phone/ fax support via Satcom.
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Diesel Electric Propulsion System
A Propulsion System with a High Level of Redundancy

Filter Circuits/ Quality of and increases the efficiency. The filters are System Advantages

Printed in Germany • Technical alterations reserved • © SAM Electronics GmbH • DS 1.059.03/2011

the Mains
Four filter circuits in total are provided, each with
an incorporated filter for the 5./7.th and the
11./13.th harmonic frequency. This configuration
allows SAM Electronics to guarantee a THD
factor of <5% under all operating conditions.
This prediction was verified by extensive
measurements. The result lies well under any
classification requirement and ships specification.
The filter circuits combine the reduction of the THD
factor to specified values with an improvement of
the power factor. This reduces the reactive power
switched depending on load conditions in order to
avoid a capacitive power factor on the mains.
Monitoring Concept
Distributed I/O´s for motor and transformers
collect all data from analogue and digital sensors.
The collected data are sent via a bus system to the
converter. This concept reduces the cabling effort
to only a bus system and the DC supply cable
between the main components. Beside this all
data are available for monitoring purposes by the
converter CPU. A bus transfer of all data to the
automation system is provided.
This advanced propulsion concept of the P&O
”Aurora“ guarantees a very high level of
redundancy. This ensures, that even with a fault in
one of the converters, the vessels time schedule
will be fulfilled. A high level of availability is
achieved by installing four independent
converters. In case of converter problems a
telediagnostic system allows world wide an
immediate support by specialists of the supplier.

The single line shows the arrangement of the main supply with the propulsion system. The consequent separation between the propulsion ensures the high availability.

SAM Electronics GmbH Phone: +49 (0)40 - 88 25 - 27 20

Drives and Special Systems Fax +49 (0)40 - 88 25 - 41 02
Behringstrasse 120 DSS@sam-electronics.de
22763 Hamburg . Germany www.sam-electronics.de