Integration of Energy Storage and Pulsed-Power Technologies in Shipboard Power Systems

Pulsed-power technology (PPT) consists of electrical hardware relying on the storing and discharging of electrical energy in very short time periods (in the order of several minutes, seconds or less). During the process, energy storage devices (ESD) such as batteries, capacitors or flywheels are charged over a long period and then rapidly discharged to supply an electrical system. PPT load demands typically exceed the total available generation capacity of a system and require ESDs to supplement their draw. The co-existence of PPTs and ESDs is a developing art form in modern power system design, especially in shipboard applications. This paper discusses the evolution of shipboard power and energy system architectures and future considerations in their design to support pulsed-power technology. ESD technologies are reviewed including their technological readiness in supporting megawatt-level PPT loads. One promising form of ESDs, the flywheel energy storage system (FESS), is demonstrated via a time-domain simulation model for a shipboard power system.