Electric propulsion for orbit transfer - A NAVSTAR case study (Has electric propulsion's time come?)

The recent advancements in the fields of electric propulsion and battery technology have made possible the implementation of all-electric transport within the coming decades. However, the widespread use of electric cars could seriously threaten the existing capabilities of energy generation and the load of the utility grid. This work investigates the use of solar energy for producing energy for transportation locally, using energy buffering and minimizing grid energy transfers. A case-study of an electric car and dedicated PV-system is investigated for the duration of a full year in Polish climatic conditions.

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A comparison of potential electric propulsion systems for orbit transfer

10.2514/6.1982-1871 ◽

1982 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. JONES

Keyword(s):

Electric Propulsion ◽

Propulsion Systems ◽

Orbit Transfer

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Battery electric propulsion: An option for heavy-duty vehicles? Results from a Swiss case-study

Transportation Research Part C Emerging Technologies ◽

10.1016/j.trc.2018.01.013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 88 ◽

pp. 107-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Emir Çabukoglu ◽

Gil Georges ◽

Lukas Küng ◽

Giacomo Pareschi ◽

Konstantinos Boulouchos

Keyword(s):

Electric Propulsion ◽

Heavy Duty ◽

Heavy Duty Vehicles

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Electric Propulsion Development

The Aeronautical Journal ◽

10.1017/s0001924000051290 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 73 (708) ◽

pp. 1071-1075

Author(s):

P. R. Openshaw

Keyword(s):

Attitude Control ◽

Electric Propulsion ◽

Control Problems ◽

Orbital Elements ◽

Orbit Transfer ◽

Expansion Phase ◽

Ion Thrusters ◽

Black Arrow ◽

Orbit Eccentricity ◽

Orbit Inclination

Parts I and II of this series of papers have dealt with the development of ion thrusters for use in an orbit transfer manoeuvre, and of various types of micro thruster for position and attitude control. The present paper deals with the actual satellite electric propulsion system and configuration needed for expansion manoeuvres. The control problems both during the expansion phase and subsequently in the required orbit are discussed. Short analyses for two specific cases (ELDO launcher and Black Arrow) are presented in which payloads and missions are defined. Burt has shown that all the orbital elements of a spacecraft can be changed by means of a small continuous thrust. He gave particular attention to the problem of expanding from a low orbit to a synchronous one, and the change of orbit inclination and orbit eccentricity was also considered. Such a type of manoeuvre is eminently suitable to electric propulsion because the high exhaust velocities possible lead to a small propellant mass; this mass saving is achieved at the expense of the time taken for the manoeuvre.

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Study on the Architecture of a Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel Power Generating Unit

Volume 6A: Ocean Engineering ◽

10.1115/omae2020-18093 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lorenzo Balestra ◽

Ingrid Schjølberg

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Power Plant ◽

Electric Propulsion ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Design Guidelines ◽

Background Information ◽

Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽

Power Generating Unit ◽

Zero Emission

Abstract This study focuses on providing design guidelines for a vessel’s power-plant in the multi-megawatt range, equipped with a hybrid fuel cell and battery system. Background information is provided on the challenges to realizing such a system, spanning from a literature review on studies looking into energy management, to the technical limitations of state-of-the-art fuel cells and batteries. The central part of the work consists of the description of the model used to calculate the size of the hybrid power generating unit, including a case study on a single, real-world scenario. The Plant Analysis Balance with Operational Profile (PABOP) model, developed by the author and presented in the paper, is used to calculate the resources needed to retrofit a vessel operating on fossil fuels with a hybrid zero-emission power-plant. The model aim is to achieve a 1:1 replacement for diesel-electric configurations, both in terms of range and power, using fuel cell and battery power. In the case study, the model is applied to analyze the operational data of a double-ended ferry operating with diesel-electric propulsion. Emphasis is put on the I/O needed and produced by the model, and how this tool can be used by shipyard engineers to estimate the footprint required, the necessary storage capacity, lifetime of components and other parameters. The presented solutions could help manufacturers estimate the economical viability of hydrogen vessels, filling a gap in current maritime fleets where zero-emission systems are gaining increasing importance.

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