Next Generation Integrated Power Systems

What Is It?

The Next Generation Integrated Power Supply (NGIPS) is an enterprise approach to develop and provide smaller, simpler, more affordable, and more capable ship’s power systems for all Navy platforms. Managed by the Electric Ship Office (ESO), NGIPS will define open architectures, develop common components, and coordinate Navy and industry investments.

 

How Does It Work?

In the future, Navy Electric Warships will have electrically powered propulsion systems, auxiliary systems, launchers, sensors, countermeasures and, ultimately, high power weapons that, coupled with low self-signatures, will permit detection and engagement of the enemy far outside the envelope for counterattack. 

 

What Will It Accomplish?

  • Technical goals at the module/ component level include:
  • Reduced passive component size and weight
  • Reduced size and weight devoted to heat removal
  • Increased rating of active components
  • Increased temperature/frequency capability
  • Enhanced functionality

The Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) NGIPS initiative will require an unprecedented level of technology development and systems engineering in order to improve the power density and affordability of Navy power systems and deploy appropriate architectures, systems, and components, as they are ready, into ship acquisition programs.

NGIPS is defining future power system architecture alternatives based on 60 HZ AC, High Frequency AC (HFAC) or Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) power distribution. Each of these may have application in different future ship types. However, many of the same technologies may be used to populate these architectures. The most technically challenging, and possibly highest payoff, architecture is the MVDC, which will require new approaches to power management and fault protection. The MVDC architecture does promise the highest capabilities at the least total ownership cost. The NGIPS technical approach utilizes common elements such as zonal electrical distribution, power conversion modules, and electric power control modules as enablers along an evolutionary development path.

The NGIPS will offer future warfighters:

  • Increased ordinance on target by enabling electric weapons
  • Increased range and resolution of detection and targeting by enabling high power sensors
  • Increased “fight through” capability and survivability by enabling near instantaneous reconfiguration of power resources and graceful degradation following battle damage or equipment failure.
  • Increased stealth with inherently lower signature electric components and/or ability to electrically manage signature.
  • Enhanced mobility—range, maneuverability, with lower fuel consumption systems and distributed propulsors.
  • Reduced workload by reduction or elimination of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and automation of electrically powered systems.

Research Opportunities:

  • Advanced Naval Power Systems Modeling and Simulation
  • High-density energy storage
  • Advanced power generation to reduce fuel consumption
  • Diagnostics that clearly define the fault severity and accurately locate the fault and Prognostic Capability that reliably foretells the future condition of the equipment and system

Lynn Petersen
(703) 696-1291
lynn.j.petersen@navy.mil

 

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