Alternating vs. direct current: A transient study of the U.S. Coast Guard's 270 foot medium endurance cutter's electrical distribution system

While the United States Navy has conducted extensive research into the use of shipboard DC zonal electrical distribution systems (ZED), no project has analyzed the benefits for installation on a Coast Guard cutter which has a significantly different load profile than Navy warships. Simulink models of the existing 270' medium endurance cutter (WMEC) AC radial electrical distribution system and a proposed DC ZED system were created and tested with three transients. The result demonstrated a significant reduction in settling time and an increased robustness caused by the insulation provided by the introduction of power electronic converters. Beyond the transients, a DC ZED provides better standardized installation for any ship reducing construction costs and timelines, and simplifying training and support. Additionally, the DCZED increases a ship's innate survivability by reducing longitudinal cables that penetrate watertight bulkheads increasing a boundaries effectiveness. The Coast Guard would be best served by pushing for a zonal distribution system on all future cutter acquisitions.