Power Factor Standards in Shipboard Microgrids: Implications for Energy Efficiency
6th GMC’26 – Global Maritime Congress, İzmir, Türkiye, 28 - 29 Eylül 2026, ss.1, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: İzmir
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Conventional ship power networks have evolved into intricate shipboard microgrids due to the rapid transition to electrified and power-electronic-based maritime energy systems. This transformation has occurred due to a variety of factors. The power factor is a crucial element influencing energy efficiency, total power quality, system stability, operational reliability, and adherence to international marine regulations, making it a key aspect in these systems. The growing integration of propulsion systems, variable-speed motors, renewable energy sources, battery energy storage systems, and converter-interfaced loads has fundamentally altered the reactive power characteristics in shipboard microgrids. This transformation has resulted from the merging of these components. This development has raised new concerns, especially with the preservation of suitable power factor levels during dynamic operating conditions. This study assesses the significance of power factor norms inside shipboard microgrids. Additionally, evaluations are performed to determine the impact of these parameters on power quality and energy efficiency. The research analyses limitations set by international standards and classification-based organizations. Particularly, attention is paid to power quality measures, restrictions on harmonic distortion, voltage regulation, and reactive power management. It focuses exclusively on these factors as its primary emphasis. This study analyses power factor correction strategies and their impact on the development of shipboard microgrid systems. These topologies include alternating current (AC), direct current (DC), and hybrid AC/DC configurations. Inadequate power factor circumstances lead to elevated distribution losses, diminished production efficiency, hastened equipment deterioration, and an increased likelihood of voltage instability and harmonic distortion. All these factors stem from an inadequate power factor. The repercussions are increasingly pronounced and apparent in modern vessels, which are characterized by nonlinear and swiftly varying loads that predominate the electrical network. The study investigates the growing significance of active power filters, converter-based compensation systems, and reactive power management solutions enabled by energy storage. Moreover, it rectifies the shortcomings of traditional capacitor-based compensation techniques and the constraints intrinsic to these systems. In heavily electrified maritime environments, researchers focus significantly on the correlation between power factor improvement and the achievement of power quality criteria. The results indicate that future shipboard microgrids will require systems for managing reactive power in an integrated manner. These frameworks must concurrently tackle energy efficiency, harmonic mitigation, voltage support, and operational flexibility. Power factor should be recognized not merely as a measure of efficiency but as a multifaceted performance metric that directly impacts the sustainability, reliability, and regulatory compliance of advanced maritime electrical systems. This study aims to provide a technical reference for researchers, ship designers, and marine electrical engineers engaged in advanced shipboard microgrid applications.