Techno-financial analysis and design of on-board intelligent-assisting system for a hybrid solar–DEG-powered boat

Abstract In this paper, we present a financial feasibility analysis and design of an on-board-assisting system for a hybrid solar–diesel-powered boat. The major components of this boat are solar panel, battery bank, speed and direction controller for dc motor, brushless dc motor, diesel engine generator (DEG), and intelligent-assisting system (IAS) to assist the sailor. A DEG is considered to maintain the ability to run the system even during night-time, cloudy, and partially cloudy days. The energy demand posed by the electrical system requires maintaining an appropriate balance between the energy sources-done by an on-board-processing element which facilitates the system to run automatically. The capacity of the battery bank is considered large enough to satisfy electrical power requirement of the system for a whole day during noncharging periods. The optimal configuration for the hybrid system is selected from HOMER simulation results, whereas a financial feasibility analysis of the proposed hybrid solar and DEG-powered boat is performed using a clean energy management software called RETScreen. The IAS also provides solutions to the common naval hazards, such as over-weight and inclement weather by employing depth of submergence detector and GSM network interface. Financial analysis reveals that the proposed system is financially feasible, while tests showed that IAS successfully provides navigational supports to sailors.