Multi-objective design of a hybrid propulsion system for marine vessels

Hybrid vehicles offer the advantages of both conventional and electric vehicles. Improved fuel consumption is generally the main driver for these systems with the option of silent, emission-free operation also being a big advantage. Marine hybrid vehicles however, do not experience significant recovery of energy via regeneration, because of their operating profiles. Fuel savings can be realised by optimal component operation rather than free-energy recovery, yet this requires correct component sizing considering the typical usage over a scenario. In this study, a model is built to calculate the fuel consumption of a hybrid motoryacht over a given day-cruise scenario. A genetic algorithm is then applied to optimise the component sizing of this hybrid system with respect to minimisation of fuel consumption and total installation weight.