Design and analysis of a 20 MW propulsion power train

The electric ship research program at the University of Texas at Austin focuses on the development of power system technology for future electric ships. The main goal of the on-going research activity is to identify critical, high pay-off technology development needed to enable major improvement, in size and functionality, of navy ships power systems. Initial efforts were directed towards the establishment of a baseline power train which highlights various constraints and provides a basis for later optimization efforts. A 20 MW power train system was chosen for such a baseline, and all components, from fuel to propulsion motor, were considered and their impact on the whole power system assessed. The baseline design consists of a 25 MVA/3600 rpm radial flux permanent magnet generator, a 22 MVA PWM converter, and a 20 MW/150 rpm radial flux permanent magnet motor, along with the amount of fuel sized for an assumed mission profile, and the widely used LM2500 gas turbine. The analysis shows that fuel is by far the dominant component contributing to weight and volume and, consequently, overall efficiency of power train components is the most relevant parameter to reduce weight and volume. The 3600 rpm generator is the smallest component. The 150 rpm motor is the heaviest component, other than fuel, weighing close to 100 tonnes.