Asymmetric Supply of a Dual Three-Phase PMSM through a Hybrid Energy Storage System in Marine Electric Propulsion Systems

This paper proposes a novel electric propulsion system architecture for marine applications. This consists of a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) supplying a Dual Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (DTP-PMSM), which is connected to a marine propeller through a gearbox so that it acts as the propulsion motor of the vessel. The HESS is made up of a battery pack and a supercapacitor module, each of which supplies one of the two DTP-PMSM three-phase windings through suitable DC/DC and DC/AC converters. Vessel speed can be regulated through suitable DTP-PMSM speed and current control loops. Additionally, torque/power demand can be split asymmetrically between the two DTP-PMSM windings according to power and/or energy capability of each HESS unit. The proposed configuration is validated through numerical simulations, which highlight the effectiveness of both HESS energy management and DTP-PMSM control systems.