Role of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Increasing the Operational Safety of Offshore Service Vessels

Abstract

Abstract For ensuring the operational safety of offshore service vessels (OSVs) during critical operations, marine classification agencies recommend operating redundant diesel generators (DGs) as a spinning reserve for dynamic positioning (DP) systems. In view of the reduced fuel efficiency and increased emissions of DG sets when operated at low loads, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are preferred as a green choice to serve the class-recommended DP power backup for 12 min. Based on the on-demand reliability analysis and Li-ion battery failure models, it is identified that an OSV with a 1.6-MW‐capacity DP system requires 538 kWh of Li-ion battery power to reliably replace a spinning DG set in serving power backup for 12 min. Based on the IEC61508/11 health, safety, and environment framework, the methodology to identify the OSV risk under various operational conditions and the battery system minimum maintenance interval requirements to meet various safety integrity levels are described.