Ship design Viking Lady
Low Loss Concept (LLC)

Low Loss Concept - energy efficient and highly redundant power distribution system

The Low Loss Concept (LLC) is a power distribution system comprising higher efficiency, lower weight and volume, and a high system redundancy. The basic motive for the design is to reduce and eliminate the need for supply (pulse) transformers to the frequency converters, especially those supplying electric propulsion.

LLC is available for both Low Voltage and Medium Voltage applications. It covers all power applications between 5MW and 45MW in both the Low Voltage and Medium Voltage versions. It is effective also in vessels with operating profiles that require variable speeds, such as OSVs.

The LLC power distribution system has been patented internationally by the Wärtsilä Group.

Key benefits

  • The transformerless configuration of the LLC system results in a higher system efficiency of 2% – 3%. This in turn implies a 10% lower fundamental current supplied from the switchboard to the frequency converter.
  • The lower electric losses in the system will result in improved fuel economy and a reduced need for auxiliary machinery systems.
  • The introduction of the LLC transformer in the electric distribution system reduces the overall short circuit current level by 15% to 20%. This allows for a system design comprising Low Voltage (LV) components, and subsequently significant weight and volume reductions compared to traditional systems that include transformers. For certain applications, the weight reduction may be 35% to 40% compared to competing designs.
  • The Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the voltage in a LLC system is slightly better than in a traditional 12 pulse system, and is always designed to be less than 5%.
  • The dual supply to the frequency converters, and the four galvanic separated switchboards, increase the total system availability significantly. The converter supplying the propellers will continue to operate should a switchboard failure occur.
  • Technical data

  • Example Schema SLD LLC

Technical data

The LLC solution is based on a common 30 degrees phase shifting transformer, which provides the power supply to the 12 pulse rectifying bridge, thus cancelling harmonic currents caused by the frequency converters.

Example Schema SLD LLC

Example SLD LLC

Downloads and links

Low Loss Concept Webinar banner
10 Feb 2021 · Webinar
Low Loss Electrical Concept - Redundancy, Efficiency and Cost Savings
Wärtsilä patented Low Loss Electrical Concept supports your environmental...
17 Nov 2021 · Article
3 min read
Dispelling the myth of high losses in modern electrically enhanced propulsion systems
Thanks to modern technology, losses in electrically enhanced...
Flexibility is the key requirement for future propulsion systems
27 Apr 2021 · Article
3 min read
Flexibility is the key requirement for future propulsion systems
Traditionally, vessels are designed for and tested at one design speed and draft....

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