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OSV Grand Canyon II with be upgraded with batteries for low-emissions DP operations (source: NES)
03 Mar 2023by Martyn Wingrove
Utilizing simulators and pc modelling will assist the offshore trade overcome a brand new wave of challenges
Key points with present dynamic positioning (DP) techniques embrace low-quality failure mode impact evaluation (FMEA), a lack of know-how on fault alarm limits for propulsion thrusters, gyrocompasses and different sensors and a scarcity of anomaly logging with DP techniques. Whereas growth traits embrace better curiosity in open-bus-tie configurations and including batteries for slicing emissions and including redundancy.
Sandercott Undertaking Engineering offshore DP advisor and director, Steve Sandercott, stated these points are inflicting complications to system builders and vessel operators. This contains what number of outdated techniques have restricted {hardware} and software program help, growth of latest place reference applied sciences, resembling targetless radar, points with DP anomaly logging and lack of high quality of FMEAs. There are additionally mismatches in displayed alarm limits for gyros, wind sensors and feedback-prediction errors.
“We’d like an extended snapshot of DP efficiency, so if a gyro drops out, this occasion is logged and put in a file,” stated Mr Sandercott. This information could possibly be used for pattern evaluation and stopping incidents sooner or later.
ABL Group principal engineer and DP surveyor, Nitin Thulkar, defined how totally different configurations of hybrid energy techniques affect DP operations. Extra OSV homeowners are changing vessels with batteries and generator units and contemplating gasoline cells for DP vessels. Mr Thulkar defined the challenges of managing energy and vitality from a number of energy sources, the design points in battery sizes for DP vessels and security elements of working batteries.

Nitin Thulkar (ABL Group): “The best way ahead is to scale back the danger of fires and explosions” (supply: Riviera Maritime Media)
The advantages of utilizing batteries embrace decreasing gasoline prices and genset operating hours, and offering redundancy in DP techniques. However there are challenges to beat by way of decreasing prices and elevating the vitality density of batteries, integrating batteries into vessel power-management techniques and reducing security dangers.
“The best way ahead is to scale back the danger of fires and explosions, doing analysis into growing battery density and chemical security polymers, creating inexperienced offshore charging stations and introducing floating anchor areas for vessels,” stated Dr Thulkar.
NJC Energy director Nick Clarke defined the significance of simulating DP techniques for efficiency and energy faults, to diagnose points and implement options.
“If garbage goes in, then garbage comes out”
Superior DP techniques require advanced ranges of testing and simulation. Modelling potential energy faults, resembling quick circuits, grounding faults, over or underneath voltage and cargo imbalances, means vessel homeowners and charterers will be assured DP techniques are dependable and resilient.
“Programs have to trip via faults and wholesome techniques ought to stay on-line to offer assurance of energy to DP techniques,” stated Mr Clarke. “Simulations will have to be all encompassing,” however as DP techniques develop into extra superior, “the standard of simulations turns into vital,” he stated.
He famous that simulators and pc modelling are solely pretty much as good as the knowledge fed into them: “If garbage goes in, then garbage comes out.”
Superior simulations can uncover hidden failures, show how faults can propagate all through the system and simulate the behaviour of intermittent faults.
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