SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid The propulsion and electric power generation plant installed on board M/Y 40 S Hybrid is a Hybrid system that allows the choice of two different and alternative solutions for the propulsion and two different and alternative solutions for the electric power generation. This is possible because of the use of two electric machines (engines or generators as we will see following) that are coupled with two gear box (Reintjes) throughout a PTI/O (depending on the fact that the electric machine is generating mechanicals or electric power). The Electric coupling on the PTI/O works throughout a pre-gearbox and throughout a hydraulic clutch whose pump is managed independently.
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid There are three different operational modes, Diesel Mode, Electric mode and Shaft Generator mode. Diesel Mode In the Diesel mode the Hybrid System is completely invisible with the on board plants making the hybrid propulsion system totally independent from the Hybrid one and allowing a traditional cruise, even if with its own characteristic due to the specific hull shape study that allow incredible consumption characteristic during sea trials (at 14Kn the total consumption is 150l/h ). The study of a semi-displacement Motor Yacht at a low/medium speed has been the basis for a naval architecture project in the direction of fuel saving e low emissions.
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid Electric Mode In the electric mode, main engines are switched off and the electric machines, powered by the generators on board, are connected throughout the hydraulic clutch to the PTI acting on the primary mechanism of the gear box and making the shaft turning. The selection of the electric mode cruise can be selected by the Captain firstly asking the system to prepare itself to this electric mode. In this phase a complete check of the system is done such as a check of the auxiliary and dedicated pumps to the cooling and oil circulation system for the gear boxes (turning off the main engines it will not be possible to use the driven pumps of MMPP ), checks of the cooling system of electric engines and inverter, checks of hotellerie load in order to be sure that the use of MEL (Main Electic Engine) will not involve any black out, checks of the temperatures of the cooling system and oiling system of the gear boxes,a huge amount of internal parameters, automatic running of the generators, and parallel between all of them to guarantee the necessary electric power. When all these propedeudic phases end with a positive answers (generally it takes just some seconds), the Captain is enabled to the electric navigation activating the clutches that shift the PTI and giving the possibility to act on the lever (the same ones of the Main engines) in order to manage the variation of rpm of the MEL and therefore of the shaft.
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid With this mode it will be possible to produce 75 kw for each MEL allowing a speed of about 7.5Kn with 50 l/h of consumption. From the energetic balance point of view, we decided not to use batteries because the passage throughout the batteries and throughout the inverters will cause a loss of performance of about l 8% impacting negatively on the quantity of fuel used. Advantages: the main advantages of the use of electric mode are the high comfort during the navigation due to the completely lack of vibration of MMPP e high reduction of total db, being the generators included inside soundproof case. For an environmental point of view, the generators in this mode work with a very high performance and with fixed rpm avoiding the transition period, causing exhaust gas temperature variations that are responsible in terms of generation of SOx and NOx, dangerous for the environment. As upgrade, some FAP installed will bring new increase of the general emissions. Another important characteristic is the immediate reactivity of the MEL that change themselves the rotation sense/direction allowing the passage from drive mode to reverse mode without involving the mechanical gear of the gearbox, receiving a much quicker reply during the maneuvering. Such characteristic is used for the hold position command for which the boat is able to record its own GPS position without anchor.
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid This Mode allows the boat to stop in a bay without anchor preserving in this way the Fauna and Flora. Such mode allows to stop the Yacht in a bay without anchor, and this is something very important in some places where it is not possible to throw the anchor in order to not damage anyway flora and fauna of the bay. Shaft generator mode In the shaft generator mode, the electric machines work as shaft generators. In this configuration the electric machine absorb torque from the PTO (Power Take Out) and produce energy as generators. This mode can be operated in the range of 1000 and 1800 rpm, using the caracteristic of the machines to be able to generate up to 75 kw regardless to the number of rpm, through specific inverters AC/DC and DC/AC. The selection of this mode is selected by the Captain who will need to prepare the system in order to prepare the use of such mode. In this phase an analysis of the load is made to guarantee that the available power (75 kw) is enough to avoid a black out. Also the cooling paramethers of the circuit have been checked as well as the operation of the cooling pump and internal paramenters of the system. Once all the parameters have been checked and accepted by the system (it normally takes just few seconds) the Captain is enabled to request the shaft generator mode and he can put the clutchs in and let the machine turn.
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid In this phase, the system made a parallel between DDGG or between DG and the electric machines, once the parallel has been made the ship s automation can put off line the DDGG and then switch them off allowing the production of electric power only from the shaft generator. Moreover, the system has an automation that guarantee the impossibility of black out once the lever are in reverse position. In this case passing through the neutral position the system are not any more able of generating electric power but the system, in this case, run and put on line one or more generator depending of the load and the power requested before disconnect the electric machine. Advantages: with this mode in an operational range between 800 and 1800 rpm, it is possible to reduce the total emissions turning off one o more thermal machines and using the power in excess of MMPP for the generation of electric power. The same mode allows fuel saving using the MMPP in a convenient range with the possibility to cut down management cost on DDGG.
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid
SISHIP Ecoprop on Columbus 40S Hybrid The Hybrid Plant of the 40S Hybrid has been designed together with RINA studying all the possible contraindications and therefore the solutions to be produced for the security of the Yacht and her plants. The improvements and changes carried out on this kind of plant allowed 40 S Hybrid to obtain, for the first time in the world for a commercial Yacht, the class notation Hybrid Propulsion. Such class notation allow the transparent use of a technology partially used (only in the propulsion) on other boats but with the approval with the class, grating in this way also an insurance coverage in all the modes described.
HYBRID SYSTEM The gearbox are connected both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. They are connected and disconnected to the drive train by clutches.
CONVENTIONAL PROPULSION A common drive train on a yacht is composed by an internal combustion engine coupled trough a gearbox to the propeller/jets/pod
On ship where the hotel load is comparable to the power needed for the propulsion is sometime convenient to use electric power to run the propellers. That happens, sometimes, also for a yacht sailing, for example, at intermediate speed, with the hotel in normal service. DIESEL ELECTRIC SHIP
PROPULSION SYSTEMS COMPARISON Diesel Diesel Electric Efficiency Flexibility X X Space saving Weight saving X X Quietness Redoundancy X X
HYBRID SYSTEM IN DIESEL MODE The power for the propulsion is provided only by the internal combustion engine
HYBRID SYSTEM IN ELECTRIC MODE The power for the propulsion is provided only by the electric motor.
HYBRID SYSTEM IN GENERATOR MODE In this mode the electric motors works as alternator. During long cruises, at intermediate speed, the engine can provide the power both for Propulsion than for the hotel needings throug the shaft generators.