ComAp partnered with Damen at their headquarters in Gorinchem, Netherlands, to deliver an advanced DC Power Management System (PMS) for a fast crew supply vessel, the FCS 2710, developed for the safe and efficient transportation of passengers to an offshore power plant. Commissioned for Purus Marine (formerly HST Marine), the power management system was built for precise control over generator- and battery-based power sources via a centralised DC bus system. Drawing on their extensive knowledge and experience in AC and DC marine applications, ComAp provided a bespoke solution based on Damen’s requirements.

To successfully provide a DC Power Management System that could meet the requirements of the next-generation Fast Crew Supplier vessel, ComAp needed to ensure that the new PMS could efficiently manage the Power Take-In / Power Take-Out (PTI/PTO) through converters, seamlessly integrate the Battery Management System (BMS), and provide control and monitoring of the power sources via a centralised DC bus.

In collaboration with Damen, ComAp developed a power management system (PMS) through a combination of hardware and customisable software, which was refined throughout the implementation process to align with the evolving requirements of the project. This process involved extensive testing of the PMS via Damen’s large-scale Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation of the vessel, enabling validation of the system in a realistic environment. Based on the results of the simulation, testing, and real-time feedback, multiple adjustments were made. The successful integration of the Power Take-In (PTI), Power Take-Out (PTO), and Battery Management System (BMS) was facilitated through advanced control logic that was continuously refined throughout the implementation process.

The result of the project was a fully operational DC Power Management System built to Damen’s specifications. The new system provides real-time control and monitoring over the vessel’s power sources and contributes to its safe and efficient operation. Additionally, the system’s software is customisable to meet the evolving demands of the vessel.

What are the main advantages of ComAp’s DC Power Management System?

• Blackout prevention
• Load sharing between energy sources
• Prioritisation of energy sources
• Heavy consumer management, including power limitation
• DC voltage matching
• Safe switching of power sources