Application of frequency converters in the shipping industry
Against the backdrop of the continued advancement of "dual carbon" targets and the intensive implementation of policies for green ports and electric ships, the electrification, clean energy conversion, and intelligentization of inland waterway shipping have become a clear trend. As a global shipbuilding and shipping powerhouse, China is actively promoting the transformation and upgrading of ship power systems to reduce carbon emissions and environmental pollution. The successful application of the ZK300 series frequency converter not only demonstrates the company's technological strength but also represents a solid step forward for my country in the localization of core power systems for green ships.
The ship completed a nearly 500-kilometer continuous navigation test in mountainous waterways, enduring rigorous tests under various complex conditions, including high-speed downstream navigation, navigating shallow waters against the current, maneuvering through sharp bends in rapids, and frequent entry and exit from locks. The ship's port and starboard propulsion systems are driven by permanent magnet synchronous motors and equipped with Hope ZK300 series engineering-grade frequency converters (this project utilizes AFE four-quadrant rectification technology). The system operated stably throughout the test, demonstrating precise power response and successfully passing the high-intensity, high-standard waterway adaptability verification.
As a representative of ZK's high-end variable frequency drive products, the ZK300 series offers both single-unit and multi-unit drive topologies, designed specifically for demanding applications such as marine main propulsion and shaft-driven power generation. All rectifier/inverter units in the series are CCS certified and possess the following core technological advantages:
Eco-friendly Design:
Utilizing a high-power-density modular and compact design, it supports flexible configuration based on the ship's electrical space and functional requirements. The common DC bus design enables automatic energy recycling, significantly improving system efficiency and facilitating installation and maintenance.
System Integration:
Supports mainstream communication protocols such as CANopen, Modbus, and PROFINET, providing flexible interfaces to minimize modifications to the original host computer and control system, significantly shortening the commissioning cycle and reducing retrofit costs.
Precision and Efficiency:
Core components meet classification society standards and feature corrosion-resistant and vibration-resistant reinforced designs, ensuring long-term reliable operation in high-temperature, high-humidity, and salt spray environments, guaranteeing navigation safety.
Safe and Reliable:
Equipped with encoderless high-precision torque control capabilities, strong overload capacity, and fast dynamic response. Even in complex conditions such as shallow water, rapid currents, or berthing and unberthing, it ensures stable and controllable propulsion, guaranteeing ship safety.
Intelligent Energy Saving:
It can match the optimal propulsion power in real time according to navigation conditions and load. Employing low-harmonic rectification technology, it achieves high power quality (THDi < 5%), significantly reducing grid pollution and equipment noise.
ZK provides efficient, reliable, and customized electric propulsion systems for various types of electric ships. Its products are also widely used in key areas such as port shore power and ship electric propulsion. Together with industry partners, ZK promotes the decarbonization of the entire chain from ship power to port energy supply, helping the shipping industry in China and even the world to sail towards a smart and sustainable future.
