Converteam and BAE Systems Celebrate Monumental Year for Type 45
08 January 2008 15:20
In a year that has witnessed two launches and the commencement of sea trials, the Type 45 warship project is at a key stage of the program. These milestones in naval engineering have been reached with Converteam – the leading global power conversion specialist – becoming the first in the world to supply an integrated electric power and propulsion system into a front line Royal Navy destroyer.
With the launch of HMS Dauntless at the start of the year and HMS Diamond recently launching from Govan, there has been much to celebrate. These all electric ships offer the benefits of greater power density, reduced redundancy along with improved flexibility to control power consumption.
HMS Diamond has been equipped with two 21 MW output generators which feed two high voltage switchboards that distribute power to all the ship’s systems via the ship service transformers. Also fed from the high voltage system are two VDM25000 PWM propulsion converters which in turn drive the two 20 MW Advanced Induction Motors (AIM) that turn the shaft.
In addition the electric power management system has been developed by Converteam which controls and monitors the entire power and propulsion system. This integrates with the ship's own platform management system. After the necessary aspects of build and installation are finalised at BAE Systems' nearby Scotstoun shipyard, Converteam’s specialists will work to de-risk the ship's propulsion systems and commission their equipment. HMS Diamond is expected to enter sea trials in July 2009.
HMS Daring, the inaugural vessel in the Type 45 class of warship entered sea trials in the summer. Initial results show high satisfaction ratings from both the MoD and BAE. The vessel can accelerate to 29 knots from stationary in 70 seconds an outstanding performance for a 7500 tonnes ship.
The life expectancy of these warships is thirty years and with the new Converteam technology installed along with other equipments, the through life cost savings and carbon footprint resulting from running Daring class vessels are significantly reduced. The Type 45 system has become the base line for the Royal Navy's CVF (Future Aircraft Carrier) a solution currently being designed by Converteam.
Peter Scott, project director for Converteam commented: "We have truly relished our role in the evolution of the Type 45 destroyer. There is nothing more advanced on the water and our electric system blazes a trail for the way naval vessels will be powered for decades to come."
For more information on this company:
Converteam - Naval Electric Power and Propulsion Packages
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