Guest Editorial Marine Systems Electrification

Shipboard Electrical Applications are increasing in marine systems, from generators to users (propulsion, thrusters, handling, air conditioning, auxiliaries, actuators, and so on), as a matter of fact. Electrical applications are largely utilized in many classes of “all electric” and “more electric” ships, such as cruise liners, naval vessels, supply vessels, yachts, offshore energy vessels, platforms, drilling rigs, cable/pipe-layers, ice-breakers, inland waterways, and so on. Beside the development of electrical applications, competition demands to reduce volume, weight, and emissions in order to cut ship capital expenditures and operating costs. A revision to the existing electric power system architectures is regarded as a promising way to meet such demands. In this view, power electronics is a key enabling technology along with advanced grid controls, energy storage systems, and by-wire-actuators to make electrical energy utilization more efficient and rational.