A comprehensive energy analysis of a hybrid motorization for small/medium boats

Abstract

Small/Medium boats are considered as favourite maritime transportation, and they are mostly propulsed by Outboard Motors. Boats are designed for recreative, fishing and surveillance purposes, however in tropical undeveloped countries boats are employed for different applications such as passenger and goods transportation fairly away from nominal power engine, which lies from 8 to 12% engine efficiency. The present survey aims to develop a novel navigation perspective in a power and efficiency analysis of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Ship (PHES) 1. An internal combustion engine (ICE) is converted in hybrid propulsion system (HPS) coupling an electric motor powered by batteries through an electric DC bus device in a parallel configuration system, in order to increasing the traveled distance to fuel consumption ratio. Parameters such as boat size, engine hybrid configuration, were simulated on a schematic model system following an actual navigation route drawn, improving a 25-30% overall system efficiency respect nominal engine performance.