ABS approves DSME's hybrid power system for large LNGCs

Classification society ABS has awarded approval in principle (AiP) to Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for its hybrid power system to aid large LNG carriers (LNGCs), ABS said on October 11.

The hybrid power system configuration includes a battery energy storage system and shaft generator within an existing power source that will allow the LNG carriers to access hybrid power when needed.

With DSME’s test facility for ship research and development, the hybrid system, already in use in the industry to support smaller vessels such as ferries, was successfully applied to large LNG vessels, ABS said.

With the AiP, it is now possible to reduce dependence on the generator engine and improve fuel efficiency by including a solution that can improve the performance of the DSME shaft generator, ABS said.

The approval process included a review of the ship's internal arrangement, function, risk analysis, and operation scenarios reflecting actual electrical loads.