Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation of Integrated Electric Propulsion System for Ship Dynamic Positioning

The article presents a multiphysics modelling approach to design an integrated electric propulsion system for ship dynamic positioning purposes. The simulation platform integrates the model of the shipboard power plant, the hydrodynamic and environmental forces and the dynamic positioning controller. The shipboard power system has been modelled considering the electro-mechanical behaviour, i.e. the power-frequency dynamic, so that the platform can run in real time and be linked with the control hardware. The simulation platform has been tested through a detailed simulation campaign by using as a study case a Platform Supply Vessel where its behaviour in harsh conditions has been validated. Moreover, a control hardware-in-the-loop configuration has been realized, where the controller logic has been implemented in a real PCL. Finally, a comparison between the two simulation approaches is shown and the results are discussed.