UROP Project

Modeling and Simulation of Electric Shipboard Power Systems

Shipboard Power Systems; Modeling and Simulation; Power Electronics; Electric Power Systems; Energy Systems

Research Mentor: Dr., Prof. Ravikumar Gelli, He, His, Him
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: rgelli@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering. Students interested in electric power, simulation, energy systems, or computational modeling are encouraged to apply.
Project Location: 2000 Levy Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310. Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: FSU Seminole Express provides service between the FSU main campus and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 to 8 hours per week, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Tuesday, September 1
  Start Time: 12:00
  End Time: 1:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6540925978

Project Description

Modern electric ships depend on integrated electrical power systems to support propulsion, navigation, communication, sensing, computing, and other onboard loads. Unlike conventional terrestrial power systems, shipboard power systems must operate within limited space and generation capacity while responding rapidly to changing electrical demands and operating conditions.

This project will introduce undergraduate researchers to the modeling and simulation of electric shipboard power systems. Students will begin by learning the basic structure and components of shipboard electrical systems, including generators, loads, energy storage, power electronic converters, and distribution networks. They will then develop and study simulation models representing selected portions of an electric shipboard power system.

Students will use simulation tools to investigate how the system responds to changing loads, disturbances, component configurations, and operating conditions. As the project progresses, students may explore topics such as power flow, dynamic response, energy management, power quality, system resilience, or integration of emerging high-power electrical loads.

Prior experience with shipboard power systems or advanced power-system modeling is not required. The project is designed to provide first-year and early undergraduate students with a structured introduction to electric power systems, engineering modeling, and simulation-based research.

Research Tasks: 1) Review introductory materials on electric power systems and shipboard electrical architectures.
2) Identify major shipboard power-system components, including generators, distribution networks, loads, energy storage systems, and power electronic converters.
3) Learn the basic simulation environment and modeling tools used for the project.
4) Develop simplified models of selected shipboard power-system components and subsystems.
5) Simulate different operating conditions, such as changes in electrical load, generation, or system configuration.
6) Analyze voltage, current, power, frequency, and other relevant system variables during different operating scenarios.
7) Document the models, simulation results, and conclusions and prepare a research poster for the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
-- Interest in electrical systems, energy, modeling, or engineering
-- Willingness to learn new simulation and computational tools
-- Basic problem-solving skills
-- Ability to work consistently and communicate progress
-- Curiosity about how complex engineering systems operate

Recommended but not required:
-- Introductory familiarity with circuits, physics, or electrical engineering
-- Basic MATLAB, Python, Simulink, or other programming/simulation experience
-- Basic understanding of voltage, current, and electrical power