A comparison of marine hybrid system operating modes

Example Boost Mode

• Both main diesel engines and electric motors run at a speed of 1,815 revolutions per minute (min⁻¹). The electric motors each deliver an output of 400 kW in addition to the output of the combustion engines – a clear sign of high-performance operation.

• The energy flows are visualized by colored arrows: Electrical energy from the batteries is transmitted directly to the electric motors via the central control system "SMART HYBRID CONTROL".

• At the same time, the diesel engine supplies mechanical energy, which is also fed into the drive. This combination provides powerful support – ideal for fast acceleration, manoeuvres under high loads or overcoming strong currents.

• The battery icons above the components indicate the current state of charge, while the green energy flow indicators indicate active support from the batteries.

• The "BOOST" mode is highlighted in green in the bottom bar. The status indicator at the top confirms: "All systems work perfectly".

• The red-highlighted button with an exclamation mark provides direct access to the fault memory overview, where all error messages can be viewed and acknowledged. The red color serves purely to emphasize visibility and does not indicate a warning — the current operating status is shown by the message in green “All systems are functioning properly.”

• The Boost mode combines the full power of both drive sources and thus offers maximum performance with intelligent power distribution at the same time.

EXAMPLE: BATTERY-ELECTRIC MODE

• The user interface shows operation in battery-electric mode. In this mode, the vehicle is powered exclusively by electrical energy from the on-board batteries.

• The two diesel engines are switched off, which can be seen from the display of 0 revolutions per minute (min⁻¹) of the blue hands and the greyed out diesel engine symbols on the two rev indicators. The ship currently travels at 1,600 rpm via the electric motors, which can be seen from the white, thin speedometer needle.
• The energy flows run from the batteries via the central energy management system "SMART HYBRID CONTROL" directly to the electric motors. This is illustrated by the "BATTERY DISCHARGE" indicator in the central area of the display. The electric motors drive the ship's propellers.

• The battery icons show the current state of charge, while the green arrows visualize the active flow of energy to the consumers. 12 kW currently flow into the hotel network and are used for air conditioning, kitchen and entertainment, for example. In addition, the two battery systems feed the left and right powertrains with 48 kW each.

• The currently used mode "BATTERY ELECTRIC" is highlighted in green in the lower bar. The status indicator at the top confirms: "All systems work perfectly".

• The red-highlighted button with an exclamation mark provides direct access to the fault memory overview, where all error messages can be viewed and acknowledged. The red color serves purely to emphasize visibility and does not indicate a warning — the current operating status is shown by the message in green “All systems are functioning properly.”

• This mode enables locally emission-free and low-noise operation – ideal for environmentally sensitive zones, port manoeuvres or night-time cruising.

Example diesel-electric mode

• The user interface shows operation in diesel-electric mode. In this operating state, the main diesel engines do not work at all. The installed gensets are solely responsible for the drive power and the on-board electrical system. Here, optimum consumption can be achieved through fixed speed and load optimum.

• Both electric motors run at a speed of 955 revolutions per minute (min⁻¹). Due to the current low drive power, there is a lot of residual charging capacity left for charging the batteries.

• The electrical energy generated is fed into the on-board electrical system via the central control system "SMART HYBRID CONTROL".

• The display shows an electrical output of 25 kW per side and an additional output of 16 kW, which is used for other consumers in the on-board electrical system.

• The battery symbols with percentage displays (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) provide information about the current charge level of the energy storage units.

• The energy flows are exclusively electric – from the diesel generators to the control system to the consumers and, if necessary, to the batteries.

• The "DIESEL ELECTRIC" mode is activated in the bottom bar and highlighted in green. The status indicator at the top confirms: "All systems are working perfectly".

• The red-highlighted button with an exclamation mark provides direct access to the fault memory overview, where all error messages can be viewed and acknowledged. The red color serves purely to emphasize visibility and does not indicate a warning — the current operating status is shown by the message in green “All systems are functioning properly.”

• This mode is particularly suitable for uniform load requirements where direct mechanical propulsion is not required – for example, when driving slowly, in port or to supply the hotel network while charging the batteries at the same time.

Example: Cross-Over Mode

The user interface shows operation in cross-over mode, where both powertrains perform different tasks. The power of the diesel engine is fed into the DC-Link power by the electric motor with a generator of 144 kW. The left electric motor is mechanically driven (as a drive-through, so to speak) driven by the diesel engine. The right electric motor drives the ship's propeller. It is supplied with an electrical energy of 48 kW from the DC-Link. A major part of the energy generated by the diesel engine is fed into the DC-Link at 144 kW and supplies the two battery systems (40 kW and 40 kW) as well as the on-board hotel network (16 kW).

Both electric motors are active, but with different operating states – a typical feature of cross-over operation.

The energy flows are represented by coloured arrows: Mechanical energy from the left diesel engine is passed on to the ship's propellers via a closed clutch and the electric motor (as mechanical drive via the engine shaft). At the same time, the left-hand electric motor runs on a generator and feeds electrical energy into the central energy management system ("SMART HYBRID CONTROL"). The electrical energy generated is partly used to charge the batteries, as can be seen from the battery symbols with lightning symbols. The right electric motor, on the other hand, runs in motorized mode and drives the ship's propeller.

• In addition, the system supplies electrical consumers such as fans and the hotel network.

• The power is distributed via the DC link with the MAN logo in the middle of the display.

• The red-highlighted button with an exclamation mark provides direct access to the fault memory overview, where all error messages can be viewed and acknowledged. The red color serves purely to emphasize visibility and does not indicate a warning — the current operating status is shown by the message in green “All systems are functioning properly.”

• The status indicator at the top confirms: "All systems work perfectly".

Example hotel mode

• The user interface shows operation in hotel mode, where the focus is on supplying the on-board electrical consumers – regardless of the drive system.

• In this mode, the propulsion machines are inactive, which can be seen by the 0 revolutions per minute (min⁻¹) tachometer on both sides of the display.

• Power is supplied exclusively by the batteries, as indicated by the "BATTERY MODE" indicator and the two battery icons with discharge symbols ("BATTERY DISCHARGE") in the "SMART HYBRID CONTROL" section. These currently have a charge level of 76% each. Each battery system delivers 8 kW of power to the DC-Link and cumulatively (16 kW) is delivered to the hotel network.

• The energy flows run from the batteries directly to the hotel network, which supplies central consumers such as cooling systems, lighting, communication equipment and air conditioning.

• In addition, the shore connection is activated, which enables an external power supply – ideal for port operations or longer layovers. However, the connection to the external network is currently not active.

• In the bottom bar, the "HOTEL" mode is highlighted in green. The status indicator at the top confirms: "All systems work perfectly".

• The red-highlighted button with an exclamation mark provides direct access to the fault memory overview, where all error messages can be viewed and acknowledged. The red color serves purely to emphasize visibility and does not indicate a warning — the current operating status is shown by the message in green “All systems are functioning properly.”

• Hotel Mode offers an efficient and local emission-free solution for supplying all comfort and safety systems on board – without any running main drives or gensets.