Comparison and sizing of different hybrid powertrain architectures for river ship application

Most of the commercial river ships dedicated to load transport are propelled by a conventional power train architecture. Two main engines are connected to two propellers, and one or more electrical generators provide the on-board power (electricity, hydraulic pressure...) to the servitudes. In a lot of operations, the main engines and the auxiliary engines are not employed to their maximum abilities and operate on bad efficiency areas. Hybrid solutions with batteries can then improve the operations of the engines allowing to shut them off, or to operate them in better efficiency area. This paper evaluates the potential of hybrid solutions dedicated to Inland Waterways Transport regarding the potential of fuel economy. Measurements have been performed to model the components of the ship and its operations (uses cycle). Then different hybrid architectures have been modelled, sized and compared to the conventional powertrain.