Integrated Power Systems News

Turkey’s leading tug builder Sanmar Shipyards was selected by Caterpillar Marine to build the first tug to incorporate its hydraulic hybrid propulsion system. Construction is currently under way with delivery scheduled for October 2019. Furthermore the two companies, from different continents, are joining together to present their collaborative efforts at the Tugnology 19 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to be held in Liverpool, England, May 14-15, 2019.Tugs represent some of the more power dense and cost competitive vessels…

It’s been a year since we first told you here in Maritime Reporter about the effort to update and rewrite the IEEE-45 Standard for Electrical Installations on Ships. At that time, we urged qualified experts to offer suggestions and volunteer to join in the effort as members of the committee. Thanks to those who agreed to support the committees work, a great deal of progress has been made, says Moni Islam, chair of the IEEE-45 Standard Coordinating Committee. However, he says, there is still important work to be done and volunteers are still needed, especially now that some of the work is coming to a conclusion. The IEEE-45 standard was first released in 1920.

General Atomics, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $12,288,073 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development activities associated with integrated power systems power load modules design and pulsed power loads for future surface combatants. General Atomics will provide the research and development of an advanced integrated power systems power load module that may be used for pulse forming networks that could power future lasers, railguns, or radars. The initial effort will include further refinement of their unique approach to the concept, documenting how the approach could be eventually implemented in a shipboard configuration to meet projected pulsed loads powering needs.

Converteam has been selected as the supplier of Integrated Power Systems (IPS) to the U.S. Navy with the award of an additional multi-million dollar contract to design and supply the complete electric power, propulsion and vessel automation system for the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) program. The MLP program adds to Converteam’s market leadership experience with the U.S. Navy’s IPS fleet, which includes DDG 1000, T-AKE, LHD 8 and LHA 6. The MLP vessels are a new class and type of auxiliary support ship. They’re intended to serve as a transfer station or floating pier at sea, improving the U.S. military’s ability to deliver equipment and cargo from ship-to-shore when friendly bases are denied, or simply don’t exist.

Converteam in partnership with the U.S. Navy have successfully tested the DDG 1000’s high voltage Integrated Power System (IPS)(1) to full power at the Land Based Test Site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DDG 1000 is the first U.S. Navy surface combatant to leverage this technology—an all-electric architecture providing electric power for both propulsion and ship services. As the integrated power systems provider, Converteam is responsible for the entire program’s high voltage system design, commissioning and testing at the land based test site. The test demonstrated full power operations of the IPS, which is a major milestone prior to delivery of equipment to the ship.

Rolls-Royce opened its newly expanded and modernised Marine Service Centre in the Port of Rotterdam. The investment marks the latest stage in the development of a global Marine Service Centre network, which currently comprises dedicated repair activities in 34 countries, providing 24/7 support to customers worldwide. Rolls-Royce is making significant investments in global infrastructure and capability to deliver complex, integrated power systems and services for its marine customers.

*  Attractive offer price of €24 per share for Tognum shareholders. (Stuttgart/London)  –  Daimler  AG,  the  global  automotive  company  and  Rolls-Royce Group plc, the global power  systems  company, announced  today  that  they  intend  to launch a public  tender offer  for 100 per cent of  the share capital of Tognum AG. The public tender offer is intended to be carried out by a 50:50 joint venture company. Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Tognum AG is a premium supplier of engines…

The focused panel sessions at the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers (SNAME) Annual Meeting and Expo (October 21-23 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island) will feature four timely topics: Electric Ships; Renewable Energy from the Oceans; Unmanned and Autonomous Ships of the Future; and Ship Efficiency in the Greenhouse Gas Era. Each two-hour panel session will be chaired and moderated by experienced SNAME members. Each session will have three leading experts who will make thirty minute presentations on their area of expertise, followed by a moderated thirty minute discussion period which will include questions and answers from the audience.

The United States Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., awarded Converteam Inc. $31m to provide the long lead materials (for the DDG-1000 Baseline Tactical High Voltage Power Subsystem, HVPS) for use in the Navy's integrated power system Land Based Test Site (LBTS) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and to supply hardware and provide technical leadership on the HVPS. With Converteam's Integrated Power Systems (IPS) role they will be providing technical leadership to the U.S. Navy to assist in the integration of the HVPS, Low Voltage Power Subsystem (LVPS) and Electric Control Systems (ECS). The entire HVPS project scope includes an Advanced Induction Motor…

Rolls-Royce has announced its intention to acquire Scandinavian Electric Holding (SEH), a supplier of system packages for diesel-electric marine propulsion systems, continuing its growth strategy in the marine market. The acquisition, from Borea Opportunity II AS, requires approval from the Norwegian competition authorities, which is expected to be completed within a few weeks. Rolls-Royce will purchase 100 per cent of the equity of SEH for cash consideration of $84m. The company will form part of the Rolls-Royce marine business. The acquisition is consistent with the company's strategy of adding new capabilities and expanding into integrated power systems. SEH currently employs 150 people, in , , and , and recorded sales of £40 million in 2007 and has a current order book of £100 million.

Alion Science and Technology, Chicago, Ill., is being awarded a $9,842,720 cost-plus-fixed fee contract for research and development activities associated with the development of Integrated Power Systems Advanced Modules and Conceptual Engineering/Ship Implementation. The Contractor will develop shipboard electrical system architectures and characterize Next Generation Integrated Power System components. Work will be performed in Annapolis, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $162,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Broad Agency Announcement; 68 white papers were received, 19 proposals were requested, and 18 awards have been made.

"There is a powerful agent, responsive, quick, and easy to use, pliable enough to meet all our needs on board. It does everything. It supplies light and heat for the ship and is the very soul of our mechanical equipment. Jules Verne's classic novel first appeared in 1869. Today, the Navy is standing at the threshold of remarkable capabilities that Jules Verne could barely imagine-a "revolution at sea" akin to the change from sail to steam and from oil-fired plants to nuclear power. But the process for the Navy has not been easy. As a Navy integrated electric drive (IED) insider told me privately: "Innovation is one thing; if you're asking us to change the way we do business…

Consolidation in the maritime industry is not something new. In the past five years, oil majors such as Exxon and Mobil, and BP, Amoco and Arco have all consolidated. Shipyards haven't been immune to mergers, either; as Halter was purchased by Friede Goldman; and Litton Ingalls consolidated with Avondale. But, when equipment manufacturers begin to consolidate, the effects aren't quite as obvious. In the past five years, Caterpillar acquired MaK and, more recently, Sabre. And Rolls-Royce has joined the buying frenzy with such zeal and aggression, it's almost easier to list companies not owned by the propulsion giant. Part of the ambiguity of the merger between equipment manufacturers is, typically, the existing product line is still maintained; just owned and distributed by the new company.

A recent clutch of 'Rolls-Royce' shipboard equipment and technology contracts in Norway arising out of specialized, capital-intensive newbuild projects testified to the U.K. group's march into the commercial marine domain. For sure, the emergence of the engineering group's name in new mercantile circles is the outcome of last year's acquisition of Vickers, and its Vickers-Ulstein Marine division, rather than the result of U.K. home-grown product diversification. But the new proprietor of the former Ulstein and Vickers' interests intends to build on the platform and integrated system opportunities offered by ownership of the industry's most extensive global network of marine equipment production.

General Atomics, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $10.7m cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Integrated Power Systems Research and Development (IPS).IPS provides total ship electric power including electric propulsion, power conversion and distribution, combat system support and mission load interfaces to the electric power system.Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by the Dec 2011.Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.The contract was competitively procured and advertised on the Internet, with 14 proposals received.The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Not too long ago, the gas turbine for commercial maritime use was relegated as an exotic luxury by many, as the use was centered mainly on high performance naval vessel applications. But a metamorphosis of sorts has occurred in recent years, and a the market potential for gas turbine usage on commercial boats and ships is rapidly expanding. Specifically, the evolution of very large, very fast cargo, automotive and passenger ferries has resulted in the increased specification of gas turbine propulsion packages. Also, the increased focus on the environment and tighter scrutiny on exhaust emissions has led to new orders for gas turbines for new users, such as the cruise ship market.