Power Loss Simulation due to Reconfiguration of Shipboard AC to DC Electrical Distribution System with Hybrid Energy Sources

According to study data released by International Maritime Organization (IMO), emissions from ships contribute 2.2% of the greenhouse gas CO2, as well as 13% of SOx pollutants and 15% of NOx pollutants from the total air pollution in the world. Thus, innovation by utilizing renewable energy such as the addition of photovoltaic (PV) is required. Several studies also have shown that an electric distribution system using direct current (DC) has several advantages over the conventional alternating current (AC) power distribution system. However, the investigation of power losses between both systems in non-electric propelled ship, further supplied with hybrid PV -diesel generator power has not been performed. This research is conducted based on power flow simulation during four ship's four operation modes in power system simulator. Based on the simulations that have been carried out, the power loss value in a DC distribution system is always smaller than the power loss value in an AC distribution system. When photovoltaic (PV) panels are installed instead of a diesel generator alone, power loss is also demonstrated to be lessened. In loading-unloading mode without using photovoltaic, the AC distribution system exhibits the maximum power loss value, with a power loss value of 3,267 kW and 2,223 kVAR or about 0.23% of the total power.