OREANDA-NEWS. October 09, 2015. Today at the Pacific 2015 maritime exposition at booth number 3Q-10, GE is proud to showcase some of its most recent technologies that are helping to transform the global marine industry.

GE Marine offers integrated full electric propulsion and hybrid auxiliary propulsion systems for a wide range of naval ships. GE's naval expertise includes gas turbine and diesel engine prime movers, power generating equipment, electrical distribution, variable speed drives and propulsion motors, vessel automation, dynamic positioning (DP), and damage control. These reliable and flexible solutions help customers drive operational excellence, efficiency and meet environmental regulations. 

GE Marine has the latest propulsion system solutions to fit the needs of future Australian programs such as the SEA 5000 frigate, support ship and Antarctic research vessel. Currently 16 LM2500 gas turbines power the RAN’s Adelaide- and ANZAC-class frigates. The LM2500 also will power five new RAN ships: HMAS Canberra Landing Helicopter Dock, the largest ship commissioned into RAN’s fleet; sister LHD HMAS Adelaide, under construction; and three Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyers.

Separately, GE will provide the RAN with an LM2500 gas turbine in-service support contract -- all with the aim of helping to ensure optimum fleet readiness and lower total cost of ownership. GE will also provide program management and on-site field service support, and will handle warehouse and inventory management including spare parts and inventory replenishment throughout the life of the contract.

The showcase technology is GE Marine’s hybrid propulsion system, similar to the arrangement used aboard the United States Navy’s USS Makin Island. Hybrid systems feature shaft wound or gearbox mounted electric propulsion motor replacing the propulsion diesel in the typical combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion architecture. The motor can deliver propulsion power or as a generator for power take-off to supply the ships distribution bus. Electric propulsion motors combined with gas turbines put overall efficiency and operational flexibility in the hands of the ship’s crew. These power-dense gas turbines (i.e., high power in a light weight, small footprint) and efficient motors reduce noise, vibration and generally provide for a quieter warship.

 Other advantages include:

  • Reduced life cycle cost: Greater fuel economy, improved reliability, decreased maintenance and reduced down time can result in substantial savings over the 30-year life of a typical warship.
  • Reduced noise and vibration: GE’s solution can achieve significant noise reduction through waveform smoothing technology on drives, electromagnetic design and patented anti-vibration technology in the motors. This enables good Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability without the need for resilient mounts and flexible couplings for the motor.
  • Configuration flexibility for maximum redundancy: Naval frigates are often designed around a single, large gas turbine for boost power. However having multiple gas turbines, along with efficient shaft wound motors, can provide much higher levels of redundancy.