University of Michigan Researchers Use OPAL-RT Simulators for Analysis & Optimization of All-Electric Ship Integrated Power Systems

The Company

The University of Michigan Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering developed a real-time simulation facility for All-Electric Ship (AES) research with support from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR). The facility supports the analysis and optimization of Integrated Power Systems (IPS), focusing on power management and dynamic system reconfiguration for All-Electric Ship applications.

The Challenges

• Integrated Shipboard Power Systems: All-Electric Ship Integrated Power Systems combine propulsion, electrical generation, energy storage, and ship services, creating complex power management requirements.
• Real-Time Power Management: Future naval vessels require continuous power delivery and dynamic system reconfiguration in response to equipment failures and changing operating conditions.
• Hardware and Simulation Integration: Researchers needed to connect real-time power system simulation with physical hardware and control systems for validation and experimentation.

The OPAL-RT Solution

• Real-Time Simulation Platform: A PC-based real-time simulation facility was developed using OPAL-RT technology to support All-Electric Ship Integrated Power System analysis and optimization.
• Scalable Computing Architecture: The eMEGAsim platform utilizes 8 Intel CPUs distributed across 4 targets connected through 10 Gb/s communications links to support large-scale real-time simulation.
• HIL & Rapid Prototyping: ARTEMIS and RT-Events software tools enabled Hardware-in-the-Loop testing, rapid control prototyping, and I/O precision better than 1 μs.

The Results

• Verified AES Simulations: Preliminary testing verified the simulator’s ability to perform failure emulation, power flow path reconfiguration, and energy management simulations.
• HIL & Control Development: The platform supports Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation and fast control prototyping using different I/O hardware configurations.
• Expanded Research Capabilities: The simulator facility became an important research tool for hybrid power systems and All-Electric Ship applications.
• Hybrid Power System Test Bed: The system was integrated with programmable power supplies, programmable electrical loads, energy storage banks, and power electronics to form a hybrid power system test bed.

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