Interesting Facts USS Makin Island was commissioned on October 24, 2009. The ship is powered by two 35,000 hp General Electric gas turbines engines and six 4,000 kW Fairbanks Morse diesel generators. The ship was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding (now part of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding). The ship typically embarks with approximately 100 officers and 1,100 crew, and can carry about 1,700 Marines. The ship can carry up to three Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles (LCACs) or 39 Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles USS Makin Island is the first hybrid propulsion drive . The ship runs on (EFVs). two auxiliary propulsion motors (APMs) powered by the ship’s electrical grid at low speeds (<12 The ship typically carries four knots) and on gas turbines at higher speeds. This results in lower fuel consumption per average CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, six mile traveled, reduced carbon emissions, and lower annual refueling costs. AV-8B Harrier attack planes, and six antisubmarine warfare (ASW) Auxiliary Drive for Low Speeds helicopters. Amphibious assault ships spend approximately 75% of their underway time traveling at 12 knots On its first voyage from a or less. Therefore, Makin Island can use its electric auxiliary drive the majority of the time, saving shipyard in Mississippi to San fuel and reducing wear and tear (and related maintenance costs) on the ship’s primary engines. Diego, the ship’s hybrid engine saved more than one million Steam-Free Steaming gallons of diesel fuel, saving On Makin Island, the steam plant that powers the majority of equipment on older Navy ships has taxpayers $2.2 million. been replaced by electrically powered systems, which are in turn controlled by a computer- Over the course of Makin Island’s based machinery control system (MCS). The MCS controls and monitors all damage control, lifecycle, the U.S. Navy ship propulsion, ballasting and de-ballasting, fuel fill, and selected auxiliary machinery. anticipates a savings of about Eliminating the steam plant also reduces engineering department manning requirements and $250 million in annual fuel costs. eliminates the workplace hazards associated with boiler systems.

Gas Turbines Improve Readiness

In addition to being the first “large deck” hybrid drive U.S. Navy ship, Makin Island is the first amphibious assault ship to be powered by gas turbines. The /APM combination provides comparable range to steam turbine-powered ships of similar size, but uses less fuel. The combination also greatly reduces the amount of time required to bring the ship’s engines For More Information online, improving the ability to quickly get underway and respond to emerging threats or Chief of Naval Operations humanitarian crises. Energy & Environmental Readiness Division (OPNAV N45) Other Efficiencies 2000 Navy Pentagon, Room 2E258 Washington, DC 20350-2000 Beyond the environmental and energy-saving advantages of USS Makin Island’s propulsion system Kenneth Hess and all-electric design, the ship uses a stern flap to improve fuel economy, anti-fouling coatings to 703-695-5077 minimize hull drag, and solid state lighting to reduce energy use. [email protected]

Website: http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/energy Facebook: http://facebook.com/navalenergy Twitter: http://twitter.com/navalenergy

At a Glance

How Does it Work? The use of an electric motor on each main reduction gear improves engineering plant efficiency by enabling the shut-down of propulsion gas turbines and/or gas turbine generators, thereby improving the specific fuel consumption of the on-line prime movers.

What Will it Accomplish? Hybrid Electric Drive increases ship mission effectiveness by enabling longer time on station and has the potential to generate additional electric power for future sensors USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51). The Navy plans to apply Hybrid Electric Drive to future DDG 51 Class Ships. and weapons.

Hybrid Electric Drive Metrics Potential fuel savings: 12% What is it? 8,000 bbls per ship, per year Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) is a Propulsion Plant Modification that utilizes an electric motor attached to the Main Reduction Gear, allowing DDG 51 Class Ships to operate at higher efficiency.

Description In electric propulsion mode, the main gas turbines are secured and gas turbine generators are electrically connected to a motor attached to each main reduction gear. The propulsion load is removed from the main gas turbines and placed onto the gas turbine generators. This mode allows the gas turbine generators to operate optimally, lowering fuel consumption. For More Information Chief of Naval Operations In propulsion derived ship service Energy & Environmental Readiness mode the electric motors generate Division (OPNAV N45) ship service power where the main 2000 Navy Pentagon, Room 2E258 gas turbines will be loaded to an Washington, DC 20350-2000 optimal level reducing fuel Kenneth Hess consumption and securing a gas 703-695-5077 turbine generator to enable single [email protected] generator operations. Technical Point of Contact Benefits Program Executive Office By utilizing Hybrid Electric Drive, (PEO) for Ships the ship can optimally load the gas turbines to take advantage of their 1100 New Jersey Ave SE Suite 900 better fuel efficiency, as well as reduce their operating time. Through the integration of mechanical Washington, DC 20003 and electrical systems, the ship can operate at most speeds at a lower fuel consumption, providing Glen Sturtevant fuel savings and longer time on station. 202-406-4256 [email protected]

Website: http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/energy Facebook: http://facebook.com/navalenergy Twitter: http://twitter.com/navalenergy