Overview of electric propulsion and generation architectures for naval applications

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the most common electric propulsion and generation architectures for naval applications. This analysis was specifically devoted to ships in the range of length overall from boats of few meters up to mega-yachts of about 60 meters. The study starts with an analysis of the traditional technologies for the electric propulsion and generation for different typologies of ships, and then presents the main characteristics of new architectures to produce electric energy on board to supply either the on board auxiliaries and the electric propulsion systems. Finally, some details about the use and integration on board of renewable energy sources are reported.