Study on the simulation of the dynamic characteristics of a marine diesel generator

Abstract

In order to implement the recent carbon-neutral policy and the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s CO2 reduction strategy, active research on the application of various eco-friendly technologies to existing ship systems is underway. As engine-based synchronous generators, which are the traditional power generation sources for ships, inevitably produce exhaust emissions during the combustion process, there is an urgent need to develop technologies for alternative power generation sources. However, it is difficult to completely replace engine generators with fuel cells, ESSs, and renewable energies that are currently being considered owing to several factors such as economic feasibility and energy density per volume. Therefore, a hybrid power generation system that integrates various generation sources into the power system without producing exhaust emissions is expected to be a short-term alternative to engine generators. It is important to simulate and verify the overall system prior to loading ships using this new system, as the dynamic characteristics of the existing engine generator, which serves as the main power source within the hybrid power generation system, affect the entire system. In this study, the main parameters of the engine, governor, exciter, and synchronous machine were identified to simulate the dynamic characteristics of the engine generator for ships. Moreover, the gain of the governor transfer function was selected using the Routh–Hurwitz criterion to obtain a response similar to that of an actual engine. Finally, dynamic characteristics resembling those in a real-life situation were confirmed for the engine, governor, exciter, voltage, and current by simulating the entire power system with varying power loads.