The Impact of Real-Time Simulation on the Development of Marine Power Systems at Aalborg University
Aalborg University
Academia, Energy
09 / 27 / 2016
The Company
Aalborg University is a leading Danish university with strong research and education activities in energy and engineering. Aalborg University’s Marine Power Systems Laboratory uses real-time simulation and reduced-scale experimental platforms to design, test, and validate new technologies for drilling, transport, and naval vessels while complying with the latest marine class regulations.
The OPAL-RT simulator gives us the ability to make initial Hardware-in-the-Loop verifications of new functionalities based on latest maritime class regulations that are to be integrated on the shipboard power systems.
Dr. Tomislav Dragičević
Associate Professor and Head of Marine Power Systems Laboratory, Aalborg University
The Challenges
- Increasing System Complexity: Modern electric propulsion systems integrate multiple converters and control systems into shipboard electrical networks.
- Reliable System Validation: Marine power systems require extensive testing before deployment on operational vessels.
- Hybrid Power Integration: The growing use of hybrid propulsion systems increases the complexity of onboard power management.
The OPAL-RT Solution
- Real-Time Simulation Platform: Aalborg University uses an OPAL-RT 12-core real-time simulator fully compatible with MATLAB/SimPowerSystems.
- Power Electronics & HIL Testing: The platform supports FPGA-based converter simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop testing with physical equipment and controller prototypes.
- Rapid Control Prototyping: Researchers use the simulator to develop and validate new control strategies for marine power applications.
The Results
- Detailed Converter Validation: The simulator enables detailed converter emulation and validation of control strategies.
- Faster Converter Development: Real-time simulation helps researchers design better converters in less time.
- HIL Verification: The platform supports Hardware-in-the-Loop verification of new shipboard functionalities.
- Training & Maintenance Support: Real-time simulation can be used for customer training and maintenance investigations.
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