A Methodology on the Evaluation of Electrification of An Inland Waterway Passenger Ferry

Abstract

Ferry retrofitting reduces the carbon footprint of marine transport while reusing existing resources. However, electric conversion can be risky, especially for expensive marine vehicles. There are different electric power train configurations, like battery-electric and hybrid. A methodology to evaluate these configurations, by using the operations data and structural plans in retrofitting an existing passenger ferry used for public transport in the Pasig River of the Philippines is presented in this paper. Through weight estimation, hydrostatic calculations, stability simulations, and energy modeling, the resulting powering requirements, metacentric height, feasibility of component placement, and energy economy for each scenario were determined and compared. The results show that the battery electric configuration had the simplest modification and least energy demand at 167.4kWh compared to the base case diesel engine at 240kWh, and other configurations. Reduction in the energy used saves resources, increases energy security, and reduces pollution emitted from non-renewable energy sources.