Journal of Energy Management and Technology

Journal of Energy Management and Technology

A Review on Propulsion Drive Trains of Electric Ships: Structures, Challenges and Opportunities

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
2 Power Systems Operation and Planning Research Department, Niroo Research Institute (NRI), Shahrak Ghods, Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Development of marine industry has caused a significant increase in fuel consumption of global shipping as well as pollutant greenhouse gases. It is forecasted that marine industry will account for 20% of global carbon footprint, 9% of SOX emissions, and 15% of NOX pollutants by 2050. Studies reveal that carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides deteriorate seawater quality, which may diffuse in air and affect human health. In this regard, renewable energy sources and storage units are capable to save more energy and mitigate pollutants emitted from fueling internal combustion engines (ICEs). This paper aims to present a comprehensive study on electric ships’ structure and operating modes, prime movers, energy sources including non-renewables and clean ones, benefits and challenges in electrification of marine industry. It is found that electric ship propulsion drive trains typically consist of electric motors, power electronic devices such as inverters and converters for flowing electricity from battery or fuel cell to electric motor, battery energy storages, and controllers for managing speed, torque, and direction of motor rotation. Some challenges of electric propulsion systems are the weight and space required for batteries, overheating of motors and power electronic devices, and lower energy density of storage compared to traditional fossil fuels-based ones. The main advantages of marine transport electrification include less greenhouse gas emissions and ecological footprints, lower operation and maintenance costs of electric motors compared to marine-scale diesel engines, noise reduction, and the improved maneuverability as a result of better torque control during navigating through congested waterways.
Keywords

Subjects


[3] Hybrid ship Greenline 33.  (2010).
[4] Y. Yuan, J. Wang, X. Yan, B. Shen, T. Long. A review of multi-energy hybrid power system for ships. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 132 (2020) 110081.
[5] Q. Ma. Looking at the launching of the world's first 2000-ton electric ship," Green Pearl River. Pearl River Water Transport. 10 (2018) 11-.
[6] International Ship Network. 100% Zero Emission ~The United States will build the world’s first commercial fuel cell ship.  (2018).
[7] C. Andersson, A.T. Johansson, A. Genell, J. Winroth. Fully electric ship propulsion reduces airborne noise but not underwater noise. Ocean Engineering. 302 (2024) 117616.
[8] Z. Wang, L. Chen, B. Wang. Tri-objective optimal design of a hybrid electric propulsion system for a polar mini-cruise ship. Ocean Engineering. 300 (2024) 117355.
[9] B. Pang, S. Liu, H. Zhu, Y. Feng, Z. Dong. Real-time optimal control of an LNG-fueled hybrid electric ship considering battery degradations. Energy. 296 (2024) 131170.
[10] Y. Li, X. Liu, Y. Zhao, T. He, H. Zeng. Optimization design of hybrid energy storage capacity configuration for electric ship. Energy Reports. 11 (2024) 887-94.
[11] M. Ganjian, H.B. Farahabadi, M.A. Alirezapouri, M.R. Firuzjaei. Optimal design strategy for fuel cell-based hybrid power system of all-electric ships. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 50 (2024) 1558-71.
[12] M. Acanfora, F. Balsamo, M. Fantauzzi, D. Lauria, D. Proto. Design of an electrical energy storage system for hybrid diesel electric ship propulsion aimed at load levelling in irregular wave conditions. Applied Energy. 350 (2023) 121728.
[13] R. Khatami, B. Chen, Y.C. Chen. Optimal voyage scheduling of all-electric ships considering underwater radiated noise. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies. 148 (2023) 104024.
[14] J. Gao, H. Lan, X. Zhang, H. Iu, Y.-Y. Hong, H. Yin. A coordinated generation and voyage planning optimization scheme for all-electric ships under emission policy. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. 156 (2024) 109698.
[15] K. Hein, Y. Xu, V. Aditya, A.K. Gupta. A probabilistic risk-averse approach for energy storage sizing in all-electric ship. Journal of Energy Storage. 55 (2022) 105392.
[16] Y. Ma, Z. Wang, H. Liu, H. Tang, Y. Ji, F. Han. Efficient and Sustainable Power Propulsion for All-Electric Ships: An Integrated Methanol-fueled SOFC-sCO2 System. Renewable Energy.  (2024) 120822.
[17] Y. Feng, J. Qu, Y. Wu, Y. Zhu, H. Jing. Utilizing waste heat from natural gas engine and LNG cold energy to meet heat-electric-cold demands of carbon capture and storage for ship decarbonization: Design, optimization and 4E analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production. 446 (2024) 141359.
[18] T. Zis, P. Angeloudis, M.G. Bell, H.N. Psaraftis. Payback period for emissions abatement alternatives: role of regulation and fuel prices. Transportation Research Record. 2549 (2016) 37-44.
[19] M. Visonà, F. Bezzo, F. d’Amore. Techno-economic analysis of onboard CO2 capture for ultra-large container ships. Chemical Engineering Journal. 485 (2024) 149982.
[20] J. Lee, Y. Choi, J. Choi. Techno-Economic Analysis of NH3 Fuel Supply and Onboard Re-Liquefaction System for an NH3-Fueled Ocean-Going Large Container Ship. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 10 (2022) 1500.
[21] D. Stapersma, H. Woud. Matching propulsion engine with propulsor. Journal of Marine Engineering & Technology. 4 (2005) 25-32.
[22] G. Sulligoi, A. Vicenzutti, R. Menis. All-electric ship design: From electrical propulsion to integrated electrical and electronic power systems. IEEE Transactions on transportation electrification. 2 (2016) 507-21.
[23] R. Geertsma, R. Negenborn, K. Visser, J. Hopman. Design and control of hybrid power and propulsion systems for smart ships: A review of developments. Applied Energy. 194 (2017) 30-54.
[24] K.S. Rao, P.J. Chauhan, S.K. Panda, G. Wilson, X. Liu, A.K. Gupta. Optimal scheduling of diesel generators in offshore support vessels to minimize fuel consumption. IECON 2015-41st Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. IEEE2015. pp. 004726-31.
[25] F. Jabari, H. Arasteh, A. Sheikhi‐Fini, B. Mohammadi‐Ivatloo. Optimization of a tidal‐battery‐diesel driven energy‐efficient standalone microgrid considering the load‐curve flattening program. International Transactions on Electrical Energy Systems. 31 (2021) e12993.
[26] J.K. Woud, D. Stapersma. Design of propulsion and electric power generation systems. IMarEST2002.
[27] P. Van Spronsen, R. Tousain. An optimal control approach to preventing marine diesel engine overloading aboard Karel Doorman class frigates. IFAC Proceedings Volumes. 34 (2001) 493-8.
[28] F. Baldi, H. Johnson, C. Gabrielii, K. Andersson. Energy analysis of ship energy systems–the case of a chemical tanker. Energy Procedia. 61 (2014) 1732-5.
[29] C.-o. Lim, B.-c. Park, J.-c. Lee, E.S. Kim, S.-c. Shin. Electric power consumption predictive modeling of an electric propulsion ship considering the marine environment. International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. 11 (2019) 765-81.
[30] R. Geertsma, R. Negenborn, K. Visser, J. Hopman. Parallel control for hybrid propulsion of multifunction ships. IFAC-PapersOnLine. 50 (2017) 2296-303.
[31] G. Castles, G. Reed, A. Bendre, R. Pitsch. Economic benefits of hybrid drive propulsion for naval ships. 2009 IEEE electric ship technologies symposium. IEEE2009. pp. 515-20.
[32] M. Erhard, H. Strauch. Control of towing kites for seagoing vessels. IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology. 21 (2012) 1629-40.
[33] M.C. Díaz-de-Baldasano, F.J. Mateos, L.R. Núñez-Rivas, T.J. Leo. Conceptual design of offshore platform supply vessel based on hybrid diesel generator-fuel cell power plant. Applied energy. 116 (2014) 91-100.
[34] G. Sulligoi, S. Castellan, M. Aizza, D. Bosich, L. Piva, G. Lipardi. Active front-end for shaft power generation and voltage control in FREMM frigates integrated power system: Modeling and validation. International Symposium on Power Electronics Power Electronics, Electrical Drives, Automation and Motion. IEEE2012. pp. 452-7.
[35] M. Jelić, V. Mrzljak, G. Radica, N. Račić. An alternative and hybrid propulsion for merchant ships: current state and perspective. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects.  (2021) 1-33.
[36] H. Lan, S. Wen, Y.-Y. Hong, C.Y. David, L. Zhang. Optimal sizing of hybrid PV/diesel/battery in ship power system. Applied energy. 158 (2015) 26-34.
[37] T. Völker. Hybrid propulsion concepts on ships. Papers of 33rd International Scientific Conference" Science in Practice"2015. pp. 11-6.
[38] E. Ovrum, T. Bergh. Modelling lithium-ion battery hybrid ship crane operation. Applied Energy. 152 (2015) 162-72.
[39] O. Alnes, S. Eriksen, B.-J. Vartdal. Battery-powered ships: A class society perspective. IEEE Electrification Magazine. 5 (2017) 10-21.
[40] O.B. Inal, J.-F. Charpentier, C. Deniz. Hybrid power and propulsion systems for ships: Current status and future challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 156 (2022) 111965.
[41] J.M. Miller. Propulsion systems for hybrid vehicles. Iet2004.
[42] P. Mariana, P. Fanel-Viorel, V. Mihail-Vlad, D. Robert-Alexandru. Energy balance for a hybrid naval propulsion system. Journal of Shipping and Trade. 7 (2022) 1-20.
[43] D. Pivetta, C. Dall’Armi, R. Taccani. Multi-objective optimization of hybrid PEMFC/Li-ion battery propulsion systems for small and medium size ferries. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 46 (2021) 35949-60.
[44] J. Hou, J. Sun, H. Hofmann. Control development and performance evaluation for battery/flywheel hybrid energy storage solutions to mitigate load fluctuations in all-electric ship propulsion systems. Applied energy. 212 (2018) 919-30.
[45] J. Hou, J. Sun, H. Hofmann. Mitigating power fluctuations in electrical ship propulsion using model predictive control with hybrid energy storage system. 2014 American Control Conference. IEEE2014. pp. 4366-71.
[46] P. Wu, R. Bucknall. Hybrid fuel cell and battery propulsion system modelling and multi-objective optimisation for a coastal ferry. International journal of hydrogen energy. 45 (2020) 3193-208.
[47] B.R. Mujungu, S. Allamsetty, T.R. Choudhury, S. Debdas, S. Kundu. Design and Modelling of a Solar PV-based Propulsion System for a Catamaran Boat. 2022 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Technologies (CONIT). IEEE2022. pp. 1-6.
[48] M. Jelić, G. Radica, N. Račić, V. Mrzljak. Developments in Marine Hybrid Propulsion. 2021 6th International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies (SpliTech). IEEE2021. pp. 01-6.
[49] Electric and solar powered boats.  (2018).
[50] Solar powered boats.  (2018).
[51] Transatlantic SUN21.  (2018).
[52] Auriga leader.  (2018).
[53] Emerland Ace world's first hybrid car carrier.  (2018).
[54] Panasonic supplies green energy technology to "Emerland Ace" hybrid car carrier.  (2018).
[55] X. Yan, Y. Sun, C. Yuan. Review on the application progress of solar ship technology. Ship & Ocean Eng. 45 (2016) 50-4.
[56] Solar sailor.  (2018).
[57] Suntech solar powered ship.  (2018).
[58] COCSCO "Tengfei" solar assisted ship.  (2018).
[59] (2018).
[60] J. Hou, Z. Song, H. Park, H. Hofmann, J. Sun. Implementation and evaluation of real-time model predictive control for load fluctuations mitigation in all-electric ship propulsion systems. Applied energy. 230 (2018) 62-77.
[61] N. Bennabi, J. Charpentier, H. Menana, J.-Y. Billard, P. Genet. Hybrid propulsion systems for small ships: Context and challenges. 2016 XXII International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM). IEEE2016. pp. 2948-54.
[62] C.A. Reusser, H.A. Young, J.R.P. Osses, M.A. Perez, O.J. Simmonds. Power electronics and drives: Applications to modern ship propulsion systems. IEEE Industrial Electronics Magazine. 14 (2020) 106-22.
[63] Z. Duan, Y. Chen, H. Gao, L. Liao. Analysis of key technologies for new green marine propulsion systems. E3S Web of Conferences. EDP Sciences2020. p. 02008.
[64] M.N. Nyanya, H.B. Vu, A. Schönborn, A.I. Ölçer. Wind and solar assisted ship propulsion optimisation and its application to a bulk carrier. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 47 (2021) 101397.
[65] L.S. Tamdjokouen. Renewable energy alternatives for cargo ships: case study of application of Flettner rotors combined with PV panels on bulk carriers.  (2021).
[66] M. Ragheb. Wind energy converters concepts. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL.  (2014).
[67] H. Grimmelius, P. de Vos, M. Krijgsman, E. van Deursen. Control of hybrid ship drive systems. 10th International conference on computer and IT applications in the maritime industries2011. pp. 1-15.
[68] USNS Vindicator.  (2018).
[69] Viking Lady offshore supply vessel.  (2018).
[70] fischer fuel cells tested in e4ships project in Germany. Serenergy.  (2018).
[71] L. van Biert, M. Godjevac, K. Visser, P. Aravind. A review of fuel cell systems for maritime applications. Journal of Power Sources. 327 (2016) 345-64.
[72] C.H. Choi, S. Yu, I.-S. Han, B.-K. Kho, D.-G. Kang, H.Y. Lee, et al. Development and demonstration of PEM fuel-cell-battery hybrid system for propulsion of tourist boat. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 41 (2016) 3591-9.
[73] A.M. Bassam, A.B. Phillips, S.R. Turnock, P.A. Wilson. Development of a multi-scheme energy management strategy for a hybrid fuel cell driven passenger ship. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 42 (2017) 623-35.
[74] M.F. GmbH. First yacht with certified fuel cell propulsion. Fuel Cells Bull. 2003 (2003) 4-5.
[75] F. Vogler, G. Würsig. New developments for maritime fuel cell systems. Germany: Germanischer Lloyd AG.  (2010).
[76] FCS Alsterwasser—Zemships.  (2020).
[77] Viking Lady—Offshore Supply Vessel.  (2020).
[78] M/F Deutschland—Scandlines Deutschland GmbH.  (2020).
[79] BB Green—Electric Commuter Ferry.  (2020).
[80] Aditya—Solar-Powered Ferry.  (2020).
[81] Elektra—Hybrid-Electric Ferry.  (2020).
[82] Enhydra—Hybrid Ferry.  (2020).
[83] Ellen-The World’s Largest E-Ferry.  (2020).
[84] China's 1st all-electric tugboat.  (2021).
[85] Battery-powered fast ferry MS Medstraum named Ship. Corvus Energy.  (2022).
[86] S. Anwar, M.Y.I. Zia, M. Rashid, G.Z.d. Rubens, P. Enevoldsen. Towards ferry electrification in the maritime sector. Energies. 13 (2020) 6506.
Volume 9, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 1-13

  • Receive Date 14 March 2024
  • Revise Date 30 September 2024
  • Accept Date 08 October 2024