Propulsion and photovoltaic charging system parameter computation for an all-electric boat

ABSTRACT

The study aims to evaluate system combinations including batteries and electric motors for the all-electric training ship and to develop a shore facility with photovoltaic solar panels for battery charging. To achieve the objectives, the ship’s power requirements were calculated using Savitsky and Wyman methods. Specifications of the propulsion units were decided by utilizing three different driving cycles and a battery discharge simulation for these cycles was ensured. Then, time series analyses forecasted the discharge durations, and lifespans of the batteries. Finally, economic performance comparison and the ranking of the configurations were provided. Results indicate that nominal battery capacities are detected as 21.39, 39.22, and 7.51 kWh, having 4.86, 9.13, and 11.53-hours’ usage range, and payback periods of the configurations are 8.19, 6.88, and 8.05 years for each driving cycle. The configuration designed regarding the third driving cycle is the most feasible according to the multi-criteria decision-making analysis.

KEYWORDS:

• All-electric ship
• economic analysis
• hull design
• multi-criteria decision-making
• time series analysis
• VIKOR

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).