The latest tool in Danfoss Editron’s digital portfolio is an online calculator designed specifically for the marine sector. The Marine eCalculator allows users to dimension electric and hybrid system architecture in workboats, yachts and ferries.[ds_preview]
Covering workboats, yachts and ferries, the Marine eCalculator dimensioning tool enables users to choose the right electric or hybrid system architecture for their vessel. The tool provides comprehensive power train design including electric layout and detailed component selection for a vessel. The user selects the type and size of his vessel, then the electrification type – parallel hybrid, serial hybrid, full electric or advanced. In the following step more detailed settings can be made such as the number of DC links needed, the backbone of Editron’s system.
All the components are connected through DC links and the power is being transferred through them. In the Route Portion section the user can define how the vessel is operated – crucial for hybrid or full electric vessels, because this information is used for selecting the optimal battery size for the project. The user can make settings like duration, needed power (kW), main power source and charging power (portion of the power used for battery charging).
The following design portion is divided in two parts: defining components that consume electricity and components which produce electricity. The performance requirements for each consumer type can be defined as well as the number of consumers required. On the producer side the user defines what kind of performance is required from the main power sources. The eCalculator will automatically select the optimum quantity of the components. This can also be done manually. A single line diagram is being updated simultaneously with the design process, showing all the components and DC links. Below, all the components – all Danfoss Editron parts – included in the design are listed.
Next, the design can be modified, e.g. by adding modules like thrusters and defining their position in the layout and their performance parameters (power, speer, gear ratio). On the producer side, the eCalculator has automatically added the optimum quantity of power sources.
In a recent online launch event, Nina Harjula, Erno Tenhunen and Philipp Fedorov from Danfoss Editron were joined by special guests Jacob Viero from Volvo Penta at Sea, Peeter Raamat from Baltic Workboats and METS Technology’s Robert Wittback.
A conversation starter
Erno Tenhunen explained: »The tool will be used for a vessel concept design phase, in order to cut the whole design process from the very beginning of the vessel design in order to realize what the electric system will be. «
Philipp Fedorov added: »We need the initial data about the power plant design ideas, the basic propulsion system configuration, maybe also the vessel’s sailing profile. Based on these data we are able to make the initial draft design of the concept within the eCalculator tool. That helps us to start or continue communication with the customer on the more detailed design.«
Peeter Raamat, one of the first to try out the tool, thinks that the calculator is easy to use, also for those with less experience with similar systems. »It allows the user to play around with different concepts,« he said. For a shipyard and the integrator, the main help of the tool would be the initial design or in concept brainstormings, he said. »It will allow us to build a one up solution and share it with Danfoss so in the end we are all able to have the same project in front of us and modify the same solutions.« METS Technology’s Robert Wittback also found it rather easy to use and an efficient way of trying out the different systems solutions in a smooth way. »It may also reach a wider audience like shipowners for example so they can try out the solution. We can use the tool in the sales process and also at the beginning of the engineering process,« Wittback said. Jacob Viero from Volvo Penta would like to deploy the tool in Volvo Penta’s dealer network, »where people with less experience and customers can use it to start the conversation«. fs
