Performance assessment of an advanced hybrid system between SOFC and ICE to be applied onboard a short-distance ferry

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Elkafas, Ahmed G. and Barberis, Stefano and Rivarolo, Massimo and Massardo, Aristide F.; (2025) Performance assessment of an advanced hybrid system between SOFC and ICE to be applied onboard a short-distance ferry. In: Lecture Notes in Mobility. Lecture Notes in Mobility . Springer, IRL, pp. 659-667. ISBN 978-3-031-89444-2 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89444-2_96)

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Abstract

It is imperative to research innovative energy systems to maximize energy efficiency and decarbonize the maritime sector because the International Maritime Organization has set two milestones in 2030 and 2040 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with an ultimate decarbonization target of zero emissions by 2050. This paper investigates an advanced integration between a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and an internal combustion engine (ICE) targeting a passenger ferry operating on short-sea navigation as a case study with a rated power of 750 kW. The paper aims to model the hybrid system by using dedicated in-house software developed by the authors’ research group to assess the system performance by exploring the system efficiency, fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and conducting a sensitivity analysis for operating parameters. The results show that an efficiency improvement of 12% over the marine gas engine, with 32.4% fuel savings, and 29.7% CO2 emissions savings, is possible by maintaining the current density at 5000 A/m2, fuel utilization at 80% and using a 50–50 power split between SOFC and ICE.

ORCID iDs

Elkafas, Ahmed G. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5438-9814, Barberis, Stefano, Rivarolo, Massimo and Massardo, Aristide F.;
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