Scientific paper ID 2278 : 2022/3

In its historical development, the basic architecture of the ship”s electrical power systems goes from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is the mass used on modern ships and vessels. At the same time, ships are seeing an increasingly widespread use of electric propulsion systems, which underwent their evolution from AC-AC converters (cycloconverters, etc.) to modern AC-DC-AC frequency regulators used in an AC network. The transition to all-electric propulsion, combined with the mass implementation of electronic converters and VFDs in all parts of the system, as well as the need to limit the spread of higher harmonics and reactive powers throughout the system, predetermines the possibility of increasingly widespread use on ships with hybrid AC/DC/AC architecture. At present, they can be considered isolated cases in large ships, respectively in high-power electrical systems, but are already a very common solution in small-tonnage shipbuilding (yachts, superyachts, small vessels, electric motorboats, etc.). The architecture can be classified as particularly promising due to three more significant factors determining its development: the possibility of switching to a battery power concept for a characteristic period of time (powered by powerful Li-ion batteries in port areas and when maneuvering with a view to achieving zero emissions of greenhouse gases near populated areas), possibility of easy integration of renewable energy sources and in particular photovoltaic modules, the possibility of implementing unified systems for shore power supply. The report presents a comparative analysis of the various architectures of ship power systems, paying particular attention to the possibilities of implementing hybrid AC-DC-AC architectures, their main advantages and an assessment of possible problems in their implementation.