Motor Technology News

GE Vernova’s Power Conversion recently won a contract award from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. to supply GE Vernova’s SeaGreen integrated power and propulsion system, equipped with high power-density induction motor technology, to power and propel the next-generation FSRU for United States ship owner Excelerate Energy Inc."The FSRU, to be constructed at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard, is to be fitted with the latest, proven technology for optimized vessel energy management and performance…

Vetus Maxwell is showcasing its expanded BOW PRO thruster range at the International Workboat Show.The addition of two larger BOW PRO Boosted thruster models has strengthened Vetus Maxwell’s range of control, maneuvering and Dynamic Positioning solutions available for ferries, excursion vessels, pilot boats, search and recovery, and law enforcement boats through the award-winning BOW PRO series. Suitable for vessels up to about 70ft, the new BOWB180 and BOWB210 Boosted thrusters…

With the recovery in oil prices, deepwater and ultradeep water oil and gas (O&G) projects are the focus of renewed interest. Project viability will come down to a continued focus on cost, but also productivity through high-performing assets. And electrification is set to drive a dramatic impact of these high-tech production facilities for more efficient operations.Following a prolonged downturn in prices, a flicker of life has returned to offshore production projects with oil recovering to around $70/barrel.

Cranes and winches in particular can benefits from this practice.Early electric motors were operated at one speed, guided by available current and voltage and often drive belt and pulley systems that mechanically controlled system speed and power. As motors evolved, efficiency improved, mostly by changing output control from mechanical to electrical and eventually leading to the creation of modern adjustable speed drives (AC drives).Today, the largest potential for electric motor energy savings lies in system- and process-level optimization.

Damen Dredging Equipment has unveiled its new electrically-driven E-DOP pump, every bit as capable as its hydraulic predecessor first introduced to the dredging industry 25 years ago. The new, electrical DOP pump offers added versatility to be more applicable to even more projects. Damen Product Director Dredging, Olivier Marcus, said, “When Damen developed the DOP pump, over a quarter of a century ago, we did so with much collaboration from dredging contractors. As a result of their input…

Intellian Technologies, a provider of maritime satellite communications and entertainment systems, has unveiled its latest new product at this year’s SMM show in Hamburg, Germany. The v65, a 60cm class satellite communications system operating in Ku-band, delivers best-in-class RF performance by a substantial margin. The improved performance capability will enable service providers to build new global service plans targeting high volume market segments. The industry has the opportunity to take a closer look at this new offering at SMM, and to learn about its features in more detail.

GE unveiled today its new GE Marine organization which cumulates several GE businesses and will be led by Tim Schweikert, vice president, GE Marine. The new organization brings together GE’s commercial and technological expertise in the marine sector from gas turbines and diesel engines to motors and generators, variable speed drives and drilling systems to automation and control systems and all the electrical equipment in between. GE Marine combines this with system integration capabilities and a global infrastructure—including training and service facilities.

GE’s Power Conversion business has received a new order from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. for electric power and propulsion systems for two LNG carriers. The LNG carriers will be built for the purpose of transporting LNG from Louisiana, U.S.A. Their construction is scheduled to be completed from 2017 through 2018. According to GE, from the perspective of improved performance, electric propulsion technology is optimal for LNG carriers. GE said its induction-based propulsion motor technology and high output power pulse width modulation (PWM) technology improve reliability and help lower maintenance costs for vessels. “GE has demonstrated a low risk solution to KHI…

Elco Motor Yachts, a company in electric and hybrid marine propulsion for more than 120 years, is applying its expertise to the electric outboard motor category. The company is launching a new line of 5- and 7-horsepower motors, with an additional model offering 9.9-horsepower later this year. The outboards are designed to meet the growing interest in clean, quiet and fuel-efficient propulsion among both recreational and commercial boaters. Elco’s electric outboard motors are suited for a variety of maritime uses…

MSC Cruises recently added a new state-of-the-art liner, the MSC Preziosa, helping the Italian company, truly a family business, attain the status of third largest cruise line in the world. MSC Preziosa is a Fantasia class cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises. It entered service in March 2013 as an enhanced version of its sister ships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, and is identical to MSC Divina, which was launched in 2012. Built at the STX shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, MSC Preziosa is the new flagship of MSC Cruises. The new ship gained immediate recognition famous courtesy of its christening by actress Sophia Loren, and was significant as it signified that MSC Cruises is now the third largest cruise line in the world.

Increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction, Torqeedo has recently revamped and expanded its service center. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, the leader in electric propulsion can repair and troubleshoot 8-10 motors a day in its new 50' x 50' space. Customers can rest assured their outboards are receiving high-quality treatment as each motor's information is entered into a computerized tracking system when it arrives. This enables service center employees to instantly check the status of any motor at the facility and makes assisting customers even more efficient. The service center also holds over 5,000 spare parts and an indoor testing facility, with another on the way.

Induction-based electric propulsion motor technology from GE’s Power Conversion business will be used to power four new LNG carriers that Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries will build for Maran Gas Maritime, the gas shipping unit of the Angelicoussis Shipping Group. Contracts for the propulsion systems were signed in late May. Hyundai Heavy Industries will deliver the vessels over a 15-month period beginning in July 2015. In late April of this year, sea trials were completed…

The first electrical LNG carrier to be ordered by Maran Gas incorporating induction-based electric propulsion motor technology from GE’s Power Conversion business is expected to enter commercial service in July. The Woodside Rogers, built by one of the major Korean shipbuilders, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), at its shipyard near Busan, successfully completed sea trials in late April and was handed over to Maran Gas on July 1. It is the first of seven LNG carriers…

SeaRobotics specializes in creating vessels that are remotely or autonomously operated. A number of these unmanned surface vessels (USV) are powered by motors manufactured by Torqeedo, a leader in electric propulsion. The USVs by SeaRobotics range from 3.5-11 meters. Customers using these USVs include domestic and international military organizations, universities, oceanographic institutes, and various government agencies. Applications for USVs are limitless and SeaRobotics is able to adapt their craft for customer requests.

In a move that could change the way the maritime industry views propulsion technology, GE’s Power Conversion business increased its offshore systems portfolio with Inovelis, a podded thruster with unmatched fuel efficiency and overall performance. Inovelis incorporates an electrically powered propeller with its motor housed within a steerable pod mounted beneath the hull of an offshore vessel. It incorporates all the assets of a podded thruster, including maneuverability, responsiveness and excellent fuel economy.

The Norwegian vessel Kvannøy is the world’s first fishing vessel to benefit from Humid Air Motor technology. Humid Air Motor is abbreviated to HAM. The purse seiner/trawler and factory vessel Kvannøy, which was built in 2002, has an advanced ship design and sophisticated propulsion technology. Examples are a reduction gearbox with two-step PTO, floating frequency, a large PTO/PTH shaft alternator/motor with a power boost function – where auxiliary engine power can be added to the propeller at peak requirements.

American Superconductor Corporation, announced that it has supplied critical components to the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Ship Engineering Station Philadelphia for a high temperature superconductor (HTS) degaussing coil system that has successfully completed initial electrical testing onboard the USS Higgins (DDG 76), an 8,000-ton Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Powered by AMSC’s HTS wire and magnet cable technology, the coil system will undergo U.S. Navy sea trials over the next two years on the Higgins. Degaussing systems containing multiple tons of copper wire are utilized in most naval ships to cloak their magnetic signature…

American Superconductor Corporation and its partner, Northrop Grumman announced the completion of factory acceptance testing for the world's first 36.5 megawatt (49,000 horsepower) high temperature superconductor (HTS) ship propulsion motor at Northrop Grumman's facility at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center. This is the final milestone before the Navy takes possession of the motor. The motor was designed, developed and manufactured under a contract from the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) to demonstrate the efficacy of HTS primary- propulsion-motor technology for future Navy all-electric ships and submarines. The power and torque of this HTS motor is comparable to the requirements for the Navy's new Zumwalt class of destroyers, known as DDG 1000.

American Superconductor Corporation announced it has been awarded an $8 million contract by the US Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) to build and deliver a 6,500 hp high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor designed for ship propulsion. contract with American Superconductor focused on developing HTS motor technology for future Navy electric warships. suitable for shipboard at-sea trials. and represents a ten-fold increase in torque over the 5,000-hp, 1,800 rpm HTS motor AMSC built and tested during 2001. power ratings expected to be utilized on electric warships and on large cruise and cargo ships. motors. Superconductor. ships not possible with conventional motor technology. technology is ready to demonstrate in an actual ship installation.

ABB, the leading innovator in podded propulsion systems, has struck a landmark deal to supply its new compact podded propulsion system on a semi-submersible drilling rig. Santa Fe International Corp. has awarded a $42 million contract to ABB in Norway for the supply of electric propulsion systems and power plants to two new semi-submersible drilling rigs. In addition, the contract includes an option for a further two rigs. The two new deepwater rigs, of Friede & Goldman ExD design, will be built by PPL Shipyard PTE Ltd. of Singapore with delivery of the first rig scheduled for late 2003. ABB's delivery to each rig includes a complete package solution consisting of generators…