Space Reservation for Shipboard Electric Power Distribution Systems

The constant demands for increased power in all modern navy ships places ever greater need for attention to efficient and well positioned power cabling. The focus of this paper is the characterization of the power distribution system of an all-electric modern combatant. The ensuing mathematical model is suitable for use in the very early stages of design. This includes the use of Set-Based Design during the concept phase of design. In this version of the paper we describe the method we developed to reserve the necessary space to accommodate the shipboard electric power distribution system. Future versions of this paper will include how to compute such metrics as system weight, and total area and volume in each compartment and a vulnerability index to be used to determine a figure of merit to compare different power distribution designs.