50’ Sail Catamaran with Hybrid Propulsion, Design, Theoretical and Experimental Studies

Abstract

The development of modern lithium batteries and propulsion systems now allows the use of complex propulsion systems for vessels of various sizes. As part of the research and implementation project, a parallel hybrid drive system was designed, built and then tested in the laboratory. The experimental studies conducted allowed for the measurements of power, fuel consumption and electric power distribution in various operating modes of the propulsion system. The research proves that in the analysed case, the hybrid parallel system meets the demand for electric energy during a typical cruise scenario, and thus there is no need to install a power generator on the yacht.