GE to explore hybrid power systems for USN

GE Marine was recently awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for ONR?s DDG 51 Fuel Efficient and Power Dense Demonstrator competition.

“This project will develop and demonstrate the technology necessary to enable substantial annual fuel savings by cross-connecting the currently independent main propulsion system and the ship service electrical system, creating a hybrid mechanical?electric drive power plant,” said GE Marine?s General Manager, Brien Bolsinger. “The system modifications proposed by GE have the potential to increase ship service electric power capacity, improve power quality and add redundancy,” Bolsinger added.

Currently the DDG 51 main propulsion and ship service configuration consists of four GE LM2500 aero derivative gas turbines and three ship service turbine-generators, with four engines on line during the majority of underway operations. GE will demonstrate that the modified system will save fuel by meeting all the ship power requirements at low and moderate speeds with a reduced quantity of gas turbines operating. GE expects a better match between the power available and the load, allowing the gas turbines to operate more efficiently.

GE?s program calls for system integration, component and control technology development and a partial system demonstration. The company believes this technology combines the best features of both electric and mechanical drive systems and has broad application to other ship classes. GE will use an existing test facility at its Global Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, which is equipped for megawatt-level testing.