Test bed for hybrid system for auxiliary power production on marine vessels

Project Description

DARE Technology have been tackling the problem of excessive fuel costs and emissions as a result of running an auxiliary generator to supply vessel power in ports. To enhance research to date, DARE Technology would seek to develop a workshop based test rig which is scalable, modular and configurable and would allow the simulation of a vessels electrical generation and distribution system. After successful testing of an example system, it is intended to install a hybrid battery system on a marine vessel that is representative of a typical operational profile. The infrastructure/equipment allows early stage development and testing of bespoke hybrid systems to be carried out prior to installation of the equipment on a vessel. This will allow the monitoring, logging and quantification of fuel savings, emissions reduction, cost savings, reduction in generator running hours and real time operational data. The approach will be to develop a test rig capable of simulating each vessel system prior to integration in order to de-risk installations and reduce vessel downtime for install. The equipment will allow DARE Technology to further emphasize the commercial viability of the hybrid system and provide an indication of payback period and return on investment for the vessel owner. The proposed hybrid system is easily retrofitted onto existing vessels, allowing a relatively quick and easy solution to vessel emissions and high fuel costs. The hybrid system will compliment previous work carried out by DARE Technology in the development of a novel portable wind turbine for use on marine vessels. Combined, the hybrid battery system and the portable wind turbine will provide a renewable contribution to auxiliary power production for marine vessels and other markets.