SOLAS Requirement for PMS (Power Management System)

.pms .solas pms .solaspms .pmssolas

Automatic Power Management

SOLAS mandates that modern ships, especially those with periodically unattended machinery spaces (PUMS), must be equipped with an automatic Power Management System

This system is essential for:

1. Automatic synchronization of generators
2. Efficient regulation of the number of generators on the busbar according to changing load conditions

Blackout Prevention:

One of the primary SOLAS requirements for PMS is to prevent blackouts, which can be catastrophic for ship operations. The PMS must include:

• Preferential trip functionality: This hardwired feature is crucial to prevent sudden blackouts by shedding non-essential loads during power spikes.
• Load-dependent start/stop: The system should automatically start or stop generators based on the current load conditions to maintain power stability.

Load Sharing and Distribution:

SOLAS requires the PMS to effectively manage load sharing among different power sources:

• Symmetrical load distribution: For generators with equal load capacity, the PMS should distribute the load symmetrically.
• Asymmetrical load distribution: When dealing with different types of power-generating machines (e.g., diesel generators, shaft generators, steam turbine generators), the PMS must be capable of distributing the load asymmetrically based on each unit’s optimum and maximum load capacities.

Monitoring and Control

The PMS must provide comprehensive monitoring and control features, including:

• Status information: Real-time status of all system components, including circuit breakers, bus-ties, and generators.
• Pre-warning handling: The system should manage start/stop errors and breaker status issues.
• Active and reactive load monitoring: Continuous monitoring of power consumption and generation

Redundancy and Safety Features:

To ensure vessel safety, SOLAS requires the PMS to incorporate:

• Blackout recovery: Automatic detection of partial or total blackouts and swift power generation recovery.
• Heavy load management: Preparation of generators to handle equipment with heavy loads before activation, preventing potential blackoutshttps://ulstein.com/system-integration/automation-solutions/power-management-system.

Flexibility and User Control

While automation is crucial, SOLAS also requires the PMS to allow for manual intervention:

• Manual generator control: Ability for operators to manually start/stop generators when necessary.
• Forced operation mode: Option to set a desired limited number of generators connected to the power grid

Energy Efficiency

In line with international efforts to reduce emissions from shipping, SOLAS encourages the integration of energy management features:

• Energy Management System (EMS): For ships with alternative power sources like batteries, an integrated or remotely controlled EMS is required to optimize energy usage