Load Flow Analysis due to Reconfiguration of AC to DC Electrical Distribution System on Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) Vessel

Theoretically, reconfiguration of the AC to DC power distribution system will decrease the impedance value of the system, thus, also decreasing the voltage drops and the power losses from the generator to the load. However, the reduction of the voltage drops and power losses in the DC distribution system compared to the conventional AC system has not been clearly investigated yet on the electrical distribution system of non-electrical propelled ship. In this study, the reconfiguration process was carried out using electrical power system simulation software in a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) King Arthur III ship. The process starts by assembling a single line diagram both before reconfiguration (AC distribution) and after reconfiguration (DC distribution), which is then simulated for load flow analysis. The load flow data before and after reconfiguration were taken from the four-ship conditions: seagoing, maneuvering, dredging, and rest in port/anchorage. Based on the obtained simulation results from each condition's, the generators on the DC distribution system produces a larger active power value but smaller reactive power and apparent power than the AC distribution system. The power loss value of the DC power distribution system in each condition of the ship also has a smaller value when compared to the AC distribution system with an average decrease of 1.21 kW, and the most significant decrease occurs in dredging condition, which is 2.074 kW. In addition, the voltage drop value after reconfiguration produces a value that is smaller and below the 5% standard determined by the IEC. Through the overall results obtained from the simulation, this reconfiguration can benefit the TSHD King Arthur III electricity distribution system due to higher efficiency than the AC distribution system.