Abstract:

The growing requirements for limiting the negative impact of all modes of transport on the natural environment mean that clean technologies are becoming more and more important. This article presents the results of experimental tests carried out on a life-size, parallel diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. The efficiency of the propulsion system was analysed for two modes of operation (electric and diesel) and for different engine speeds and loads. Analysis of the impact of using a hybrid propulsion system on fuel consumption was carried out on a case study vessel and for six actual journeys. This article shows that the use of hybrid propulsion reduces the negative impact on the environment to a minimum and allows for a significant reduction in the vessel's operating costs. The advantage of hybrid propulsion is particularly visible when the ship is operating at a low speed. The use of hybrid propulsion in the electric engine operation mode allowed up to a fourfold increase in the drive’s energy efficiency to be achieved, while reducing CO2 emissions and air pollution to zero, as well as a hundredfold reduction in noise emissions.