Optimal control of dynamic pulse power loads in naval power systems using the Pontryagin minimum principle and Dynamic Programming

This paper addresses the electrical power management control problem for naval vessels. Traditional electrical system designs use a small number of large generators to provide sufficient power. Modern and future ships have a variety of power sources and loads, including fast pulse power loads. These various power sources and sinks must be coordinated to attain maximum performance. The analytical Pontryagin minimum principle is used to produce solutions for a simple system model and provide insight into the problem. A numerical optimization technique, Deterministic Dynamic Programming, is then used to develop similar solutions and study similarities and differences between the two techniques.