Kevin Peterson

Challenges of connecting shipboard marine systems to medium voltage shoreside electrical power

Ship service electrical power consumption at the pier side is rapidly growing and now exceeds 10-MW power range on many of the latest commercial ships. Short circuit current interruption capability of the switchgear and cables servicing the ship load at the port dictate the use of medium voltage power distribution systems at voltages from 5- to 21-kV range. Many of the high power medium voltage electrical loads must operate during unloading and loading of the docked ships. At the same time, environment protection regulations in many sea ports (Californias largest ports are examples of the most restrictive requirements) do not allow ships to operate their prime movers while at berth. Many ship operators and port authorities are struggling with the absence of appropriate standards and specifications for interconnecting the ship service loads to onshore power distribution systems. The intent of this paper is first to review the theory, practice, and existing interconnection standards and then to outline what can be done to achieve a secure, reliable, safe, and cost-effective operation of the ship service loads inside international ports. This paper will review the current state of cold ironing, existing applicable standards for ship interconnections to shore power, proven techniques for shore power interconnections, as well as approaches to mitigate challenges of high power and high voltage shore power

IEEE Electric Ship Technologies Initiative

Electric ship technologies have been identified by the IEEE Technical Activities Board (TAB) as one of the ten emerging technological challenges that cut across the fields of multiple IEEE societies as well as engineering societies outside the IEEE. The goal of this integrated initiative is to enhance technological advances utilization for all related applications by combining advanced research and development accomplishments in universities and research laboratories with well-established engineering practices and industrial standards. To promote this initiative, the biannual Electric Ship Technologies Symposium (ESTS) was established. This article provides a review of the ESTSs and describes the status of IEEE standardization activities. It also reviews international standards applicable to ships.

Designing Cold Ironing Power Systems: Electrical Safety During Ship Berthing

Cold ironing power system design requires unique components to supply shore power to ships for cold ironing operation. Currently, the development of new standards is in progress, and operating procedures are being written to maximize electrical safety, standardization of the process, and interchangeability from one location to another. This article describes the power system design, including a power system protection scheme, which should enhance the electrical safety by design. The power system grounding, equipment grounding, and touch potential that can impact personnel safety are described. A very basic outline of the operating procedures and training needed for the operators to maximize electrical safety during cold ironing operation are also included in this article. In addition, this article provides the current status of the draft International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/IE Standards 80005-1 [5] and 80005-2 [6].

Cold Ironing Power System design and electrical safety

Cold Ironing Power System design requires unique components to supply shore power to ships for “cold ironing” operation. Currently; development of new standards are in progress and operating procedures are being written to maximize electrical safety, standardization of the process and interchangeability from one location to another. This paper describes the power system design including power system protection scheme which should enhance the electrical safety by design. Power system grounding, equipment grounding, and touch potential that can impact personnel safety are described. A very basic outline of the operating procedures and training needed for the operators to maximize electrical safety during cold ironing operation are also included in the paper. In addition, paper provides the current status of the Draft IEC/ISO/IEEE Standards 80005-1 [5] and 80005-2[6].

Low-voltage shore connection power systems

This paper reviews low-voltage shore connection power systems for ships with up to 1,500kVA and voltage of 400V to 690V. The design for these systems is contained in the current low-voltage shore connection (LVSC) draft standard IEC/IEEE80005-3. This paper attempts to clarify that a LVSC design that uses multiple parallel feeder circuit breakers is not violating National Electric Code (NEC) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 Section 240.8. This paper also attempts to clarify the optional design for an ungrounded shore-power system, where required, which is included in the draft standard. In addition, this paper reviews the safety loop circuit to enhance the safety of the operators both onshore and onboard a ship.

Closure to discussion of “Challenges of connecting shipboard marine systems to medium voltage shoreside electric power”

For original paper by Y. Khersonski et al., see ibid., vol.43, no.3, p.838-844 (2007). The authors respond to specific discussion points made on the original paper.