MAIN DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHIP ELECTROTECHNICS AND AUTOMATION

In recent decades, the level of electrification and automation of ships has grown significantly. This is due to the increased requirements for technical, operational and technical and economic characteristics on the part of shipowners. The implementation of the requirements has become possible due to the development of related branches of science, engineering and technology: materials science, power converter technology, microprocessor electronics, and information technology. The main directions of development of ship electrical engineering and automation, namely, improvement of power generation and distribution systems, improvement of electric propulsion systems and propulsion systems, improvement of automation systems are considered in the paper. The expediency of using valve generator sets and the transition to electric power distribution on direct current is shown. Static power sources of new generation are actively developing and spreading both in industry and in maritime transport. Good control characteristics, no restrictions on the number of reverses and minimum speed, high efficiency when operating at fractional loads, high torque overload capacity on the propeller significantly expand the scope of modern AC electric propulsion systems. The desire to combine the advantages of different types of propulsion systems has stimulated the creation of combined (hybrid) propulsion systems. Combined installations incorporate a traditional thermal main engine and a propulsion electric motor. The activation of one or another engine is carried out depending on the mode of operation and the speed of the vessel. The introduction of information technologies makes it possible to automate the management and control of maintenance and repair of ship equipment. The modern development of software and hardware and algorithmic support makes it possible to create unmanned ships that can be controlled remotely and move independently (autonomously) according to predetermined algorithms, including algorithms for divergence from other ships at sea. It is concluded that the main tasks within the framework of the directions for development of ship electrical engineering and automation are increasing the energy efficiency of the process for generating electricity by introducing valve generator sets, introduction of innovative sources of electricity with high rates of efficiency and environmental friendliness, including static sources of electricity, the use of rowing electric motors with permanent magnets and inductor type, the use of combined propulsion systems with reversible electric propulsion systems, and increasing the level of automation through the introduction of information technology and artificial intelligence.