Environmental benefits and impacts forecasting for three-phase induction motors operations in marine applications: A multiple linear regression approach

In a world characterized by unsustainable production and consumption paths, it is crucial to conceptualize and implement eco-friendly strategies to achieve the set decarbonization goals. Maritime transport, mainly characterised by fossil fuels-based powertrains, is responsible for 2.89 % of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, for 15 % of global NOx emissions and 13 % of SOx, resulting a critical sector in which to promote sustainable strategies. Despite the direct environmental impacts are negligible during the operative phase in a full electric vessel, the impacts related to the electricity production are not negligible, so more efficient propulsion system management is still important. A better management can be achieved using control algorithms capable of reducing energy consumption under specific motor operating conditions. However, the real induced environmental benefits must be calculated along the entire energy supply chain. Through a life cycle assessment, this work aims at a dual objective. First, it aims to evaluate the environmental benefits obtainable by applying a power loss minimization algorithm to a three-phase induction motor compared to traditional field-oriented control algorithms under different working conditions. The optimized algorithm reduces all environmental impacts by approximately 15 %. A scenario analysis, based on different electricity production processes, highlights that the sustainability of electric powertrains increases by improving the share of renewable electricity in the production mix. Secondly, to simplify life cycle assessment computational burdens, an early design model based on multiple linear regression methods is proposed as a simple and reliable alternative (R2 similar or equal to 98 %) to support the decision-maker in the preliminary planning phase.