A Hybrid Power System Laboratory: Testing Electric and Hybrid Propulsion

Onboard hybrid power systems with low -emission energy carriers are a promising solution for green shipping replacing conventional diesel engine -based energy systems. However, there are several existing challenges related to these new low -emission energy solutions that need to be investigated. A full-scale infrastructure for testing and verification of such systems is one of the important stepping stones while developing a reliable system. In this article, hybrid power systems for ships and the related controllers were discussed with a focus on the HPS Laboratory at NTNU as an infrastructure for the testing and verification of shipboard dc power systems. A hierarchical control architecture for the power and energy management of the hybrid power system was also detailed. The experimental verification of the energy management system for both the zero -emission and hybrid propulsion mode along with voltage droop power -sharing using the real ship load profile was presented.