Project will advance electrification of maritime transport to create a prototype electric ship.
Electric DC systems may represent the sustainable future of shipping
University of Birmingham scientists are joining experts from across Europe in a €10.2 million project to create a working prototype ship powered by full DC electrical systems.
The ALL-DC- SHIPS project will advance the electrification of maritime transport with a fully DC-based architecture, including the secondary network supplying hotel loads. There will be developments on power converters with wide bandgap components, solid-state protection devices and energy management systems for better overall efficiency.
Twelve partners from eight European countries have come together to drive forward the Horizon Europe-funded project that will demonstrate a full DC grid concept on a real vessel.
Waterborne transport must significantly reduce its use of fossil fuels and resulting greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate-neutral goals set for 2050. A vital part of this decarbonisation effort is rapid expansion of low-carbon power sources and energy storage solutions.
Professor Pietro Tricoli, from the University of Birmingham, commented: “Waterborne transport must significantly reduce its use of fossil fuels and resulting greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate-neutral goals set for 2050. A vital part of this decarbonisation effort is rapid expansion of low-carbon power sources and energy storage solutions.
“To support this transition, shipboard power systems must integrate high-power components and protection devices more efficiently”
While some vessels have already incorporated DC primary grids, their secondary grids have largely remained based on traditional AC solutions.
By integrating advanced components with existing power converters and protection devices in primary and secondary grids, the ALL-DC-SHIPS project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts due to faults, improving the overall reliability of the power system.
“ALL-DC-SHIPS” was successfully kicked off in Brussels on the 18th of February, and we will soon start sharing updates on its progress.
Globalisation, population growth and a better standard of living have led to ever-increasing world trade and transport needs. Maritime transport is the most energy-efficient mode of transport, accounting for 80% of the world's freight of goods.
Some 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from shipping, and ambitious targets have been set for emission cuts up to 2030 and 2050. Environmental friendliness will be the dominant challenge for the maritime industry in the coming years, which must be solved while maintaining the requirements for safety and cost levels. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 20% by 2030. Its revised 2023 strategy sets a goal of net zero emissions from ships by 2050.
For more information, please contact Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)121 414 2772.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
Project Partners: University of Birmingham; BL!XT; Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives; Compagnie du Ponant; DEIF A/S; DEIF Wind Power Technology Austria; Flanders Make; Infineon Technologies Austria AG; Jan De Nul; KAI Kompetenzzentrum Automobil - und Industrieelektronik; Rina Germany; and Sintef Energi.
Professor of Power Electronics Systems
Staff profile for Professor Pietro Tricoli.
