In 2023, multi-award winning multihull shipyard, Sunreef Yachts Eco, announced the newest range of hybrid ecospeeders, the Sunreef ULTIMA. This range combines the industry's lightest custom marine batteries, an in-house developed solar power system and high-tech hybrid propulsion to deliver the ultimate combination of speed, comfort and sustainability.
Now the entire yachting industry has become aware of securing a future with less or even zero carbon emissions. For this reason, hybrid yachts were created. Sunreef explains how they work.
Hybrid yachts are powered by internal combustion engines as well as one or more electric motors that utilize energy stored in batteries. These batteries are replenished either via the internal combustion engine or the regenerative sailing system onboard.
In most cases, the internal combustion engines on hybrid yachts are fuelled with diesel, unlike hybrid cars that are energized with gasoline. On the other hand, electric motors are powered either by direct current (DC) from batteries or rectifiers, or alternating current (AC) from inverters, electrical generators, or power grids.
Nonetheless, together these contrasting forms of propulsion result in improved fuel economy without compromising cruising range or performance. More importantly, in case of malfunctions, the ability to switch between diesel and electric propulsion on a hybrid yacht guarantees a reliable backup.
This feature is adjusted according to sailing needs but also the individual preferences of the owner, if he prefers faster or quieter sailing.
The traditional propulsion system, powered by diesel, delivers greater power; therefore, allowing the hybrid yacht to cover greater lengths at sea and reach the destination far sooner. Additionally, when in action, the heat generated from the internal combustion engine can replenish the batteries.
The electric propulsion system in hybrid yachts offers excellent maneuverability, zero emissions at low speeds, no vibrations, and noiseless operations.
The Mechanism of the Regenerative Sailing System
Modern hybrid yachts utilize regenerative sailing, an innovative concept that enables kinetic energy produced during braking to be converted into electrical energy for reusing onboard. This increases fuel efficiency, reduces brake wear and tear, diminishes wear and tear, and lowers maintenance costs significantly.
This is a simple concept: when sailing, the energy generated due to water gushing through the propellers causes the electric motors to act as generators which recharges the batteries onboard. The greater the speed, the more the energy generated.
The Drivetrain of Hybrid Yachts
The drivetrain is a collection of components that delivers mechanical power from the prime transferer (i.e., the engines or motors) to the driven components of the yacht (i.e., into the shaft and subsequently, the propellers).
How the conventional engine works in conjunction with the electric motor depends solely on the drivetrain’s design. In practice, there are three drivetrains installed onboard hybrid yachts::
Parallel Drivetrains In hybrid yachts with parallel drivetrains, the internal combustion engine and electric motors work simultaneously to generate mechanical power. Here, the regenerative sailing system is relied upon heavily to recharge the battery packs.
Series Drivetrains In comparison, a series drivetrain only receives mechanical power from the electric motors, which is powered either by a generator run by a gasoline engine or battery packs. This is known to be the simplest hybrid configuration as the process of determining energy consumption is automated. Also. unlike parallel drivetrains, the engines and regenerative braking systems both work to replenish the battery pack onboard the hybrid yachts.
Series/Parallel Drivetrains Merging the advantages and complications of both types of drivetrains, this hybrid yachts design enables the conventional engine and electric motor to work in conjunction with one another (as with parallel) or provide mechanical power independently (as with series).
Due to lesser moving parts and advanced technologies, hybrid yachts account for lesser maintenance and operating costs in comparison to traditional yachts. Better yet the reduced wear and tear on the internal combustion engine leads to longer engine life.
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