Section 5 System components
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships, January 2023 - Volume 3 Additional Class Notations - Part 1 Ship Type Capability - Chapter 6 Hybrid Electrical Power Systems - Section 5 System components

Section 5 System components

5.1 Source of electrical power

5.1.1 The main source of electrical power is to comply with the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 2, 4 Main source of electrical power.

5.1.2 The emergency source of electrical power is to comply with the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 2, 5 Emergency and alternative sources of electrical power.

5.1.3 External sources of electrical power are to comply with the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 2, 8 External source of electrical power.

5.1.4 Additional sources of electrical power as defined in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 3.4 Additional source of electrical power are to comply with the requirements of this Chapter.

5.1.5 Rotating electrical generators within sources of electrical power are to comply with the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 6 Rotating machines – general requirements and motors.

5.1.6 Converters within power sources are to comply with the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 7.2 Semiconductor converters and the following requirements:

  1. Converters are to be selected to withstand the voltage ripple levels present on the distribution system. For every system, the following voltage parameters are to be defined:
    1. maximum non-repetitive peak;
    2. maximum repetitive peak; and
    3. maximum repetitive peak-to-peak.
  2. Where pulse width modulation converters are to be used, the voltage rate of rise times are to be determined, the results recorded and submitted to LR. Rotating machinery, surge protective devices, cable insulation and motor windings are to be designed accordingly.
  3. Converters may be of conversion type a.c./a.c., d.c./a.c., a.c./d.c., d.c./d.c., and can be of the controlled (e.g. active front end (AFE)) or non-controlled type (e.g. diode supply unit (DSU)).
  4. Converters are to be provided with visual status indication at their associated control stations to include, but not be limited to:
    1. power available at the input;
    2. power at output;
    3. temperature; and
    4. overload.

      If certain indicators and alerts are not applicable, sufficient evidence to support the claim is to be submitted for consideration by LR. Additional indicators, alerts and shutdowns may be necessary as determined through the system Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) required by Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 7.10 System Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).

  5. Converters supplying electrical power to the distribution system and consumers are to be capable of delivering the required currents for the time required to enable current-time discrimination of protective devices to operate. The electrical output of the converter is to be automatically restored following fault clearance.
  6. Converter software is to meet the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 8 Programmable Electronic Systems.
  7. Converters are to be capable of handling voltage and current spikes from the distribution system under all normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions without sustaining any damage or tripping.
  8. Converters supplying essential services are to automatically restart and connect to the distribution system after a blackout as specified in Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 2, 4.2 Number and rating of generators and converting equipment.
  9. Where converters are equipped with internal capacitors which can contribute significantly to the short-circuit level of the system, the contribution is to be included in the design of the protection and distribution system.
  10. The risk of converter component damage due to inrush currents is to be minimised by appropriate management of these currents during transient events and after short circuit.
  11. Where capacitors are connected to a converter output, the output is to be charged by the converter or by external chargers to a level which will minimise the risk of damage to the capacitors before connecting them to the distribution system.
  12. Converters arranged to operate in parallel are to be capable of stable load sharing up to maximum continuous load and inclusive of any temporary overloads within their design rating.
  13. Where converters are arranged to provide protection against electrical faults a disconnector or switch disconnector is to be provided to enable safe isolation of the converter from its incoming supplies.
  14. Converters are to be protected from permanent physical damage as a result of short circuits or overload currents on their input and output terminals.
  15. Converters are to have a ride-through capability to manage system transients including the effects of fault clearance in the distribution system that is consistent with the dependability requirements of the system.
  16. Converters are to be provided with appropriate filters to ensure the required quality of power supply at both their input and output. In the event of filter circuit failure, continued safe operation of the hybrid electrical power system is to be possible by following specified procedures as described in operation procedures. These procedures are to include any operational limitations, and they are to be kept on board, maintained in accordance with Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 7.1 General 7.1.3 and made available to the Surveyor on request.

5.2 Store of electrical energy

5.2.1 Functional requirements: To provide sufficient stored electrical energy as a component of the main source of power to supply services during normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal and emergency conditions.

5.2.2 Batteries of the vented and valve-regulated sealed type and lithium batteries are to comply with Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 2, 7 Batteries.

5.2.3 Power converters within stores of electrical energy as illustrated in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 3.5 Store of electrical energy are to comply with the relevant requirements of Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.1 Source of electrical power 5.1.6.

5.2.4 For consideration as a component of the main source of power on a ship with a specified service notation and subject to approval of the Naval Administration a store of electrical energy is to:

  1. Comply with Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 4.4 Main source of electrical power;
  2. Have a minimum capacity at any stage of its lifecycle sufficient for its contribution to the main source of power that is necessary to achieve the specified service requirements;
  3. Be provided via energy management functionality with remote indication of state of charge (available capacity in a store expressed as a percentage of rated capacity) and state of health (general condition of a store expressed as a percentage of its ability to deliver the specified performance compared with that of a new store);
  4. Have a primary purpose of supplying the ship’s main power demand. Details of any secondary purpose including but not limited to optimising performance (e.g. load smoothing, peak shaving), improving stability (e.g. dynamic response) or providing transitional power are to be provided to LR; and
  5. Be capable of being restored from a dead-ship condition with no dependence on other systems or electrical supplies. Details of alternative arrangements may be submitted for consideration by LR.

5.2.5 For consideration as an additional source of power a store of electrical energy is to:

  1. Comply with Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 4.4 Main source of electrical power 4.4.2;
  2. Be provided via energy management functionality with remote indication of state of charge (available capacity in a store expressed as a percentage of rated capacity) and state of health (general condition of a store expressed as a percentage of its ability to deliver the specified performance compared with that of a new store); and
  3. Have a primary purpose of supplying the ship’s main power demand. Details of any secondary purpose including but not limited to optimising performance (e.g. load smoothing, peak shaving), improving stability (e.g. dynamic response) or providing transitional power are to be provided to LR.

5.2.6 For application as an emergency source of power a store of electrical energy is to comply with Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 4.6 Emergency source of electrical power.

5.2.7 Electrical energy storage devices connected to and charged by the distribution system are to be protected against the defined effects of electrical faults in the system.

5.2.8 Energy stores connected to and charged by the distribution system are to be so located and provided with arrangements allowing for the safe isolation of their terminals and the reduction of voltages to a safe level during maintenance or provided with alternative arrangements providing an equivalent level of safety which will be subject to special consideration.

5.2.9 Energy stores are to be connected to the distribution system by protection devices which include but are not limited to overcurrent and short circuit protection. The protective devices used are to be selective, ensuring faults are not transmitted further, independent of the direction of current flow.

5.3 Consumer of electrical power

5.3.1 Functional requirements: To convert electrical power supplied from the hybrid power generation and distribution system into useful work.

5.3.2 Rotating machines within consumers of electrical power are to comply with the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 6 Rotating machines – general requirements and motors.

5.3.3 Converters within consumers of electrical power are to comply with the relevant requirements of Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.1 Source of electrical power 5.1.6.

5.3.4 Where a converter is arranged to step down voltage to provide a lower voltage supply to consumers than that of the power system then arrangements are to be provided to ensure the lower voltage distribution consumers are not subjected to voltage variations, including fast transients, outside their safe operating regions.

5.3.5 Consumers employing loads characterised by constant power characteristics connected to the distribution system through a converter are to be evaluated with respect to ensuring the stability of the power system as part of the power system analysis detailed in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 7.7 Power system analysis.

5.4 Combined sources of electrical power, stores of electrical energy and consumers of electrical power

5.4.1 Functional requirements: To provide the combined functional requirements of each of the elements (sources, stores, consumers) from which the combination is constructed.

5.4.2 Where a single functional or physical assembly contains a combination of source, store or consumer functions then it is to comply with the requirements of each applicable function as detailed in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.1 Source of electrical power to Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.3 Consumer of electrical power.

5.5 Distribution system

5.5.1 Functional requirements:

  1. To provide a dependable interconnection between sources, stores and consumers of electrical power; and
  2. To distribute electrical power safely to consumers.

5.5.2 Arrangements for isolation and switching are to be provided which are to enable safe isolation of faults and for maintenance.

5.5.3 Distribution systems supplying consumers through converters are to provide galvanic isolation and ground separation.

5.5.4 In addition to the requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 4.3 Isolation and switching, systems are to comply with the requirements of Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.5 Distribution system 5.5.5 to Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.5 Distribution system 5.5.13.

5.5.5 Where consumers are supplied via converters which are connected to both sides of a distribution system that is capable of being split, arrangements are to be provided to eliminate the risk of current being supplied back to the distribution system for example through flyback diodes.

5.5.6 Converters connecting sources, stores and consumers to the distribution system are to facilitate connection and removal of the sources, stores and consumers in a stable manner with the electrical power system in operation.

5.5.7 Converters are to be designed to prevent damage to the converter when switching under load.

5.5.8 Where essential services are required to be duplicated, these are to be served by individual circuits, separated in their switchboard or section board and throughout their length as widely as is practicable without the use of common feeders, protective devices, control circuits or controlgear assemblies, so that any single fault will not cause the loss of both services.

5.5.9 The distribution system is to be split into at least two independent systems each capable of independent operation or is to be separated by protection devices that are selective, ensuring faults are not transmitted further, and operate independent of the direction of current flow.

5.5.10 The distribution system is to be protected against electrical faults including short circuit, overload, earth fault, differential current, under/over voltage, under/over frequency, power quality, current and voltage imbalance, arc fault in compliance with the relevant requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 4, 4 System design - protection and Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.5 Distribution system 5.5.2 to Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.5 Distribution system 5.5.16.

5.5.11 Active components may be used for the limitation of fault currents subject to verification in a real environment of the performance of the component under all normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal operating and fault conditions and subject to establishment of effective surveillance and periodic test procedures during operation and maintenance in the ship’s Operating Manuals to verify the component is capable of performing its intended function. An isolation device is to be provided within the component and this is to be tripped automatically in the event of the component operating. A risk assessment of the component is to be undertaken to a recognised standard that is acceptable to LR (e.g. ISO 31010, Risk management – Risk assessment techniques) and in accordance with LR's ShipRight Procedure Risk Based Certification (RBC).

5.5.12 Where energy management functionality provides protection against incorrect or unexpected energy flows between the sources, stores and consumers forming part of the hybrid electrical power system the sensors used for this purpose in the distribution system are to be independent of those used for control, monitoring and safety systems.

5.5.13 Where a bi-directional flow of power may occur, the distribution system is to withstand the power variations being introduced. The level of bi-directional flow allowed is to be specified by the system designer.

5.5.14 For Hybrid Power (+) notation facilities are to be provided for automatic detection of the location of insulation breakdown with respect to earth of equipment and distribution systems to a level determined by the integrator consistent with the system’s dependability targets and agreed with the designers and Owners.

5.5.15 For either notation, switchgear and controlgear are to comply with the relevant requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 5 Switchgear and controlgear assemblies.

5.5.16 Power converters within distribution systems are to comply with the relevant requirements of Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.1 Source of electrical power.

5.5.17 Where fuses are implemented to limit the fault current in the converter, the activation of the protection is not to influence redundant consumers or cause loss of other single consumers as required by Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 4.2 Essential services.

5.5.18 Fuses used to protect distribution converters are to be of the bolted type. Where alternative arrangements are proposed, it is to be demonstrated that protection system’s selectivity is not adversely affected as a result of an increased connection resistance.

5.5.19 For each section of a d.c. bus there is to be at least one voltmeter per section. An ammeter is to be provided for each converter supplying a d.c. bus. Similar arrangements are to be provided for screen-based displays.

5.5.20 The meters required by Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.5 Distribution system 5.5.19 are to be located and arranged such that they may be viewed at a single operating position. In addition, meters may be required at additional locations to mitigate hazards identified by the risk assessment required by Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 7.10 System Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).

5.5.21 Power quality assessments are to consider the detection and impacts of circulating currents such as may exist through capacitive coupling in semiconductor converters.

5.5.22 Constant current distribution systems will be subject to special consideration and are not covered by these Rules.

5.5.23 For Hybrid Power (+) notation warnings of degrading power quality are to be provided and in the event of power quality exceeding prescribed limits automatic isolation and reconfiguration of the power system is to occur as agreed between the designers and Owners.

5.6 Energy management

5.6.1 Functional requirements:

  1. To ensure that sufficient energy is available to satisfy the main power demand under all foreseeable operational conditions.
  2. To inform Operators as soon as reasonably practicable of deviations from normal operation of the hybrid electrical power system under all normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal operational conditions.
  3. To initiate immediate corrective action on detection of component faults in the hybrid electrical power system that present a danger, reducing the risk to a level that is acceptable to LR.
  4. To provide functionality beyond the scope of conventional power management that is necessary for the control, monitoring, protection and dependability of the hybrid electrical power system.

5.6.2 Programmable electronic systems used to provide energy management functionality, or to provide safety functions, are to have arrangements which satisfy the applicable requirements of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 8 Programmable Electronic Systems.

5.6.3 Proposed modifications to software, including parameter changes, and during acceptance testing and trials are to be in accordance with Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 1, 1.7 Alterations and additions as applicable.

5.6.4 Loss of energy management functionality is not to compromise the supply of main power, the safety of the ship, the hybrid electrical power system or its components.

5.6.5 Energy management functionality is to include, but not be limited to, the following:

  1. Control (of the complete system and of each of its sub-systems):
    1. Hybrid electrical power system operating mode selection and transition;
    2. Connection and disconnection of sources, stores and consumers to the distribution system in response to operating conditions and prevailing loads;
    3. Connection and disconnection of distribution system sections;
    4. Load allocation to and sharing between sources;
    5. Load restriction of consumers;
    6. Energy flow management;
    7. Distribution system a.c. voltage and frequency and d.c. voltage; and
    8. Control functions required by sources, stores, consumers or distribution system that are necessary for their operation under all reasonably foreseeable normal, abnormal and fault conditions.
  2. Alarm and monitoring:
    1. Mode transition status;
    2. Connection status of sources, stores, consumers and distribution system sections;
    3. Energy flows within the hybrid electrical power system and between its constituent parts;
    4. Power quality as detailed in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 6.2 Power quality and stability 6.2.2; and
    5. For stores, state of charge and state of health as defined in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.2 Store of electrical energy 5.2.4 and Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.2 Store of electrical energy 5.2.5.
  3. Protection and safety:
    1. Blackout prevention;
    2. Blackout recovery;
    3. Detection of abnormal or unexpected energy flow as described in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.5 Distribution system 5.5.12; and
    4. Safety functions required by sources, stores, consumers or distribution system that are necessary for their safe operation.

5.6.6 Overall ship-wide energy management functionality is to be integrated and coordinated with the functionality of the local management systems as described in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 3 Definitions for each of the components (sources, stores, consumers, combinations, distribution system) of the hybrid electrical power system and is to ensure safe operation of the ship under all normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal operating and fault conditions.

5.6.7 Additional energy management functionality for Hybrid Power (+) notation is to consider, but not be limited to, the following. The level of functionality supplied is to be consistent with the enhanced performance and dependability required by the system.

  1. Control (of the complete system and of each divisible element):
    1. Automatic configuration of the power system based on predicted energy flow;
    2. Automatic system isolation and reconfiguration such that, in the event of a single failure in electrical power sources, stores, distribution system or associated control systems, the impact on the operational performance of the ship is as agreed with LR and there is no impact on the ship’s ability to complete its mission;
    3. System performance optimisation, independent of primary control functions covering emissions, efficiency, availability, reliability or operating cost; and
    4. Control of stores with load smoothing, peak shaving, dynamic response or other optimisation capability.
  2. Alarm and monitoring:
    1. Degradation of power quality;
    2. Remaining time for continued operation of the power system at current operating conditions and levels of power consumption. This may take the form of a real-time performance capability plot;
    3. System performance covering energy consumption, emissions, efficiency, availability, reliability or operating cost; and
    4. Health and condition of hybrid electrical power system components including the effects of ageing on electrical energy storage devices.
  3. Protection and safety:
    1. Automatic isolation and reconfiguration of the power system on detection of abnormal energy flow;
    2. Consequence analysis determining the remaining time for continued operation of the power system under stated operating and load conditions following the most significant single failure. This may take the form of an onboard off-line simulation derived from, or an integral element of, the simulation described in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 7.6 Energy flows 7.6.3; and
    3. Automatic detection of faults detailed in the system level FMEA with display of mitigating actions.

5.6.8 A description of functionality including also not described in Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.6 Energy management 5.6.4 and Vol 3, Pt 1, Ch 6, 5.6 Energy management 5.6.6 is to be submitted.


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