Electric Ship Research and Development Consortium (ESRDC)

PI: Chrys Chryssostomidis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Project Number:2008-ESRDC-01-LEV

Start Date:2008-01-22End Date:2014-01-31

Proposal Summary

Objectives: MIT will work as a member of the Electric Ship R&D Consortium, to develop critical technologies in electrical power generation, propulsion, conditioning and power distribution.

Methodology: To meet our objectives, we will
>Develop alternative topologies for the propulsion motors for the ship's power train
>Apply polynomial chaos methodology to resolve problems of uncertain dynamic loads throughout the ship's electrical redistribution systems, providing system stability and reconfiguration capability
>Create custom diagnostic estimation algorithms for non-intrusive load monitoring, where little or no initial parameter information is available on loads of interest
>Develop a real-time electric ship model with an autopilot that student Navy officers can implement on a small hull (approximately 4 m length) with sensors, control system and a podded propulsor.

Rationale: Commercial applications of electric ship technology have demonstrated that electric ships provide significant advantages in speed, maneuverability and in-hull space utilization. US Navy ships require an increased electrical load for communications and control purposes, making an electric ship the architecture of choice. The electric ship design also promises increased efficiency of overall energy usage and provides flexibility in design. This design will improve survivability and fight-through power in battle, reduce cost, and provide enhanced quality of service for Navy personnel while reducing crew numbers.

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