Vessel Dynamic Positioning Energy Storage Reserve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic positioning of vessels in the oil industry faces inefficiencies due to the sub-optimal operation of spinning reserve systems, which lead to increased fuel consumption and maintenance costs, as they require combustion engines to run at lower power levels and have a time lag in responding to power demands.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes an energy storage medium (ESM) to act as a spinning reserve, calculating and displaying a Remaining Operation Window to automatically manage power distribution, allowing the ESM to supply power quickly in case of failures or load increases, thereby reducing the need for multiple engines to run at full capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a combustion engine is used as spinning reserve to quickly deliver power in case of failure, then reliability is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to the engine running at lower average power output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the power plant by allowing the combustion engine to operate at optimal power output levels rather than maintaining a constant low-speed idle state. The control system dynamically adjusts engine load and utilizes the energy storage medium to provide rapid power supplementation, enabling the engine to work at more efficient operating points while still meeting the spinning reserve requirement.
2Reliability
If an idling generator set is used as spinning reserve, then reliability is improved, but response time worsens due to time lag between demand and power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage medium is pre-charged during normal operation when power demand is low. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the system to immediately respond to sudden power demands or failures without the time lag associated with starting an idling generator set. The pre-stored energy is ready for instantaneous deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage medium acts as an intermediary between the combustion engine and the power grid. It buffers the engine's power output, smoothing out fluctuations and providing rapid power supplementation during transitions or failures, thereby eliminating the response time delay of traditional idling generator sets.
3Reliability
If multiple power generators are operated to ensure sufficient power capacity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage medium serves multiple functions: it acts as a spinning reserve, provides power smoothing, enables rapid response to load changes, and allows the combustion engine to operate at optimal points. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple dedicated generator sets, thereby simplifying the overall power plant configuration while maintaining or improving reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention comprises a method for controlling dynamic positioning of a vessel (1) or ship. The vessel comprises an electrical power grid, at least one combustion engine driven power generator (G1, G2), and an energy storage medium. The power grid is arranged to provide power to an electric motor (M, Mn) driving one or more thrusters (Mt) or propellers (36) of the vessel. The control system further comprises a control unit (50) arranged with computer programs and hardware configured to: calculate (43, 430) a Remaining Operation Window time for carrying out dynamic positioning powered by the energy storage medium, generate and display information (47) comprising a time period for the Remaining Operation Window of dynamic positioning, and carry out an automatic control action (49a-c) in relation to at least one of a power generator or power consuming device connected to the power grid. In other aspects of the invention a control system for controlling the vessel and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.