A Propulsion System Design Methodology Based on Overall Efficiency Optimization for Electrically Powered Vessels

Boats are an important mean of transport, for passengers and cargo, mainly in countries with high water wealth. Nowadays, electrification transport includes alternatives, but the efficient use energy is still a key issue. Energy consumption electrically powered boats highly influenced by several technical domains (e.g., hydrodynamics, battery, propulsion). As literature reports advances some those domains, this article focuses on “propulsion system (PS)” (motor–transmission–propeller) design optimization. When implementing electric motor, interaction mechanical components may be analyzed to find optimal variables that will define boat performance motor–transmission–propeller combination. This presents methodology multivariable optimization maximize overall efficiency PS, therefore autonomy, design. It proposes approach from physical PS’s components, through optimality problem formulation exhaustive search model considers all possible values parameters. A case study presented riverboat, where proposed enabled improvement between 4% 5% PS. allows better limited available gain 2.9 km (7%) most favorable case.