Marine Hybrid Propulsion System

The Berg Propulsion Marine Hybrid Propulsion System is a parallel hybrid arrangement in which the propeller shaft can be driven by the main engine, by an electric motor powered from gensets or batteries, or by both together. Because each power source connects directly to the shaft line, propulsion is not limited by generator capacity as in serial hybrids.

Operating modes

• Engine-only
• Electric-only (Power Take-In, PTI), powered by gensets or batteries
• Hybrid boost (engine and motor together)
• Power Take-Off (PTO): the engine drives the motor as a generator for onboard consumers and/or battery charging
• Emission-free battery-only operation when batteries are the sole energy source

System components

• Main engine, electric motor and reduction gear with clutch arrangement
• Gensets and/or batteries
• Frequency converters and drives
• Hybrid power and energy management system that recommends the most efficient mode, with automated transitions
• Hybrid bridge mode selector

Configurations

• Inline or geared motors, permanent-magnet or induction technology
• Air- or water-cooled drives and motors
• Motor power sized for manoeuvring assist or deeper hybrid capability; genset-driven, battery-hybridised or combined energy supply
• Options: shore charging (with batteries), predictive maintenance for gensets and drives, noise/vibration packages, integration with energy-saving propellers or nozzles; ready for future fuels such as LNG, methanol or hydrogen

Benefits

• Fuel savings through engine load optimisation and peak shaving
• Lower CO₂, NOₓ, SOₓ and particulate emissions; reduced noise, vibration and underwater radiated noise in electric mode
• Redundancy from dual power sources and fewer engine running hours

Applications

Ferries, offshore support vessels with high DP or manoeuvring demand, tugs, cargo vessels, super yachts and ice-classed ships.