Design of a Hybrid Propulsion Architecture for Midsize Boats

Abstract This paper presents preliminary evaluations on the design of hybrid propulsion architectures related to midsize boats. The analysis is carried out for the case study of a retrofit operation proposed for an oceanographic ship, which is used by the researchers of the National Research Council of Italy for experimental campaigns in the Mediterranean Sea. Starting from the information obtained on the existing architecture by means of various on-board inspections, an experimental set-up is proposed for the monitoring and acquisition of the main electrical and mechanical parameters of the ship, during her navigation campaigns. Different possible hybrid configurations are also proposed, identifying the main advantages and drawbacks of each configuration for the considered application. The proposed set-up allows obtaining experimental information, about the behaviour of the ship in a large variety of operative conditions, which will be useful to support the choice of a proper hybrid propulsion architecture and the optimal design of components.