Eng. Javier Bañuls
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Professor of Electricity, Automation, and ETO Engineering; Coordinator of Electronic Integration and Machine Alarms
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Marine power generation and distribution (AC/DC), power converters, NMEA 2000/CAN (J1939), PLC/SCADA and IAS, alarm management (ISA-18.2) and functional safety (IEC 61508/62061), IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005 (shore power)
Naval electrical engineer with more than fifteen years of experience in the design, integration, and operation of power and automation systems on commercial vessels, Ro-Pax ferries, and large yachts. His work focuses on electrical reliability (reliability, availability, and maintainability) and the safe operation of engine rooms through redundant architectures, protection coordination, start-up/transfer philosophies, and mature alarm management that prioritizes critical information and reduces operational fatigue.
He masters the entire chain: load modeling (steady-state and transients), selectivity (IEC 60947), short-circuit calculation, thermal-magnetic coordination, converter integration (VFD/AFE/DC-link), and EMC compatibility; as well as NMEA 2000/CAN/J1939 communications, Modbus/PROFINET, gateways, diagnostics, and basic OT cyber hygiene in IAS/SCADA.
He has led migrations to shore connection 80005, deployment of diesel-electric hybrids, and integration of Li-ion batteries with BMS and risk mitigation (detection/inerting, ventilation, interlocks).
In terms of training, he coordinates the ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) program, with an emphasis on STCW operational skills, blackout response, and cause-effect matrix work (ESD, flooding, fire & gas).
His teaching is practical and systems-oriented: PLC/SCADA twins, CAN/NMEA 2000 network test benches, and educational selectivity/protection boards.
He promotes a culture of data-driven operations: historian, alarm trending, and electrical KPIs to improve availability and energy efficiency.
Skills Key
- Generation and distribution: LV/MV 400/440 VAC and 24/48 VDC topologies, synchronism/parallelism, load sharing, power factor, ATS/AMF, sectioning, and selectivity.
- Protections and selectivity: relay parameterization (instantaneous, timed, i²t curve), back-up/primary coordination, short circuit, electric arc, and grounding.
- Power converters: VFD for auxiliary propulsion/pumps/ventilation, AFE, LCL filters, harmonic mitigation (IEEE 519), regenerative braking, soft-starters.
- Communications and diagnostics: NMEA 2000 (topologies, PGN, terminations), CAN/J1939 (engines), Modbus TCP/RTU, PROFINET, gateways, traffic and latency analysis.
- PLC/SCADA and IAS: redundant architectures, HMI and historian, automatic sequences (blackout recovery, group start-up, ballast), plant mimic and reporting.
- Alarms and ESD: philosophy (priorities, shelving, rate-of-change), fire & gas, flood, remote shutdowns, forced ventilation, blow-off, periodic tests and certificates.
- Functional safety: IEC 61508/62061 (SIL), verification/validation, proof test, diagnostic coverage, β-factor, and instrument loop analysis.
- Port energy (HVSC): IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005, interlocks, grounding, coordination with marine infrastructure, and electrical compatibility.
- Hybrids and storage: Li-ion/LFP/NMC integration, BMS, ventilation/inerting, DC-bus, thermal management, propulsion interfaces, and battery safety.
- Regulations and class: IEC 60092, SOLAS/ISM, DNV/LR/BV requirements for electrical/automation systems.
- Maintenance and diagnostics: thermography, harmonic measurement, event analysis, availability/OEE KPIs in the engine room.
Find out more
Current teaching
- “Naval Electrical Systems: Generation, Distribution, and Protection” — 6 ECTS, blended learning, T1.
Outcomes: students dimension LV panels, configure selectivity, and coordinate protection under IEC 60947; perform ATS/AMF tests and validate synchronism. - “PLC/SCADA and IAS in Ships and Yachts” — 4 ECTS, online + remote laboratory, T2.
Outcomes: students design an ISA-18.2 alarm philosophy, develop HMI with historian, implement sequences (blackout recovery/ballast) and test ESD. - “NMEA 2000/CAN Communications and Machine Telemetry” — 40 hours, T2.
Outcomes: students wire/resize an NMEA 2000 network, integrate J1939 engines, build custom PGNs, and resolve bus faults. - “ETO STCW — Machine Operation and Alarms” — 60 hours, mixed, T3.
Outcomes: Students operate the system with cause-effect matrices, respond to multi-alarm events, and document periodic tests.
Programmes in which they participate
- Master’s Degree in Shipbuilding & Refit
- Master’s Degree in Marine Propulsion and Energy Efficiency
- Master’s Degree in Marina Management & Operations
- Diploma in Predictive Maintenance and Survey
- ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) Program — STCW
- CPD Certificates
Accreditations and certifications
- Training and experience in ETO STCW teaching.
- PLC integrator certifications (Siemens/Schneider), NMEA 2000 technical training.
- Level 1 thermography, ISO 45001 (electrical work), training in IEC 61508/62061 (SIL).
Key experience
- 62 m yacht (refit): migration to shore power with grid synchronization, interlocks, and harmonic management. Result: −28% generator hours in port and −7 dB(A) noise at dock; class acceptance without observations.
- Ro-Pax ferry: redesign of selectivity and coordination; elimination of cascading trips, post-event MTTR <90 s and priority start stability.
- 20–35 m charter fleet: NMEA 2000/CAN standardization and lightweight SCADA; −35% reduction in breakdowns and improved seasonal availability.
- Boutique shipyard: IAS commissioning, cause-and-effect matrices, ESD testing, and crew training.
Publications / applied research
- Alarm management: reduction of alarm avalanches, alarm quality KPIs, and operator-centered design.
- Harmonic compatibility in marinas and yachts: AFE/filter mitigations and silent operation in port.
- Basic OT cyber hygiene in IAS/SCADA: segmentation, backups, hardening, and credential management.
- Battery integration: risk assessment, ventilation and inerting, DC-bus, and coordination with propulsion.
Projects / consultancy
- Electrical-automation commissioner for shipyards: FAT/SAT, cause-effect matrices, ESD, procedures, and crew training.
- Selectivity audit on main/auxiliary panels; protection proposal and testing plan.
- OT cyber hygiene plan in IAS/SCADA: basic segmentation, backups, hardening, and patch management.
Methodology and assessment
- Guide: “Philosophy of alarms in engine rooms (ISA-18.2): from deluge to context.”
- White paper: “Shore power 80005 in existing yachts: interlocks and safety.”
- Technical note: “CAN/J1939 and NMEA 2000: diagnostics, redundancies, and best practices.”
Teaching outcomes/KPIs
- 88% of equipment delivers HMI + alarm philosophy verified on the bench.
- Reduction in wiring/parameterization errors of 30–45% between first and last practice.
- Average student satisfaction of 4.6/5 in PLC/SCADA and NMEA 2000 laboratories.
Languages
- Spanish (C2)
- English (B2/C1)
Availability
Valencia campus, online, and internship at an associated shipyard/boatyard; annual.
Contact
- Email: javier.banuls@navalisinstitute.co.uk
- LinkedIn: (añadir URL si procede)