Integrated Electric Plants in Future Great Lakes Self-Unloaders

Abstract

The feasibility and potential benefits of using Integrated Electric Plants in future Great Lakes self-unloaders are evaluated. Integrated Electric Plants, the all-electric ships, utilize electrical propulsion motors and central station power generation that powers all propulsion, thruster, self-unloading equipment, and other ship service needs. Integrated Electric Plants have become the plant of choice in many recent naval vessels, cruise ships, high technology cargo vessels, and special purpose vessels, such as offshore supply and service vessels and icebreakers. This study considers arrangements, effects on cargo capacity, fuel usage, and environmental emissions in all operating modes, maintenance requirements, and manning. The comparison is made for two notional self-unloading bulk carriers: a 1000 ft Poe Lock maximum self-unloader and a 730 ft MacArthur Lock, Welland Canal, St. Lawrence Seaway maxi-mum self-unloader.