In military naval operations, the need for highly dependable electrical generation is critical, so much so that the navies of the United States and Great Britain have embarked on programs to design and produce all-electric vessels. Until the day when such innovations are commonplace, diesel-powered vessels of the US Navy will generate electricity by using geared generators driven by gas turbines. These power generation units are extremely heavy and they reduce operational duration and increase requirements for bunkerage. When these geared generators are compared to a DDS alternator, they are less reliable, less efficient and pose higher acquisition & ownership costs.

A DDS alternator is directly coupled to the turbine, therefore, the alternator needs no gearbox and not only takes up less space but is quieter and more dependable than conventional power generation methods. Perhaps most important aboard military vessels, a DDS alternator is significantly lighter than a conventional generator. A traditional 8MW alternator and gearbox unit (such as is used on an offshore platform) weighs around 50,000 lbs. A similarly rated DDS alternator weighs only 10,000 lbs—an 80% reduction in weight.

Attracted by the weight savings, efficiencies and durability of the DDS product, the United States Navy have expressed considerable interest in using DDS power generation products in a planned fleet of all-electric ships, as well as for retrofit work in the current fleet. The Royal Navy has also expressed similar interest.

DDS’s first product, a direct drive 2MW high speed alternator being produced for Turbomeca, is planned to be used in naval applications for the British Royal Navy’s “all-electric” frigate and for fleet modernization and upgrade programs.