HyCap Drive

HyCap Drive项目将建造一个原型船用并联混合动力驱动器，其中电力由超级电容器储能系统提供。这与使用锂离子电池作为电力来源的传统船用混合动力驱动配置不同。这种新型HyCap结构的主要优点是：(1)与锂离子电池相比，功率密度更高，这意味着船舶的重量和体积开销更小；(2)由一个相对较小的超级电容器提供非常高的功率增量；(3)避免与锂离子电池相关的火灾隐患；(4)与锂离子电池相比，成本更低，寿命更长；(5)适合改装（由于其紧凑性），为现有柴油动力船舶脱碳提供了更强的投资理由。近年来，与一系列船舶运营商和船舶建筑师的合作突出了一些常见的用例，其中这种类型的混合动力将提供实质性的好处。这些包括：需要短时间高功率操纵进入/离开泊位的渡轮；以中等速度巡航并以较高功率/速度爆发的工作船。在这种情况下，有限持续时间的升压功率所需的能量与超级电容器模块的能力相兼容。该项目将建造并测试一个原型装置，包括现有的并联混合动力变速箱和电动机，以及超级电容器模块和相关的dc-dc转换器和变频驱动器。这将在一个实验室设备上进行测试，该设备包括原动机发动机和输出测功仪，以及全套监测和测井设施。

The HyCap Drive project will build a prototype marine parallel hybrid drive in which the electrical power is provided by a super-capacitor energy store. This differs from the traditional marine hybrid drive configuration that uses lithium-ion batteries as the source of electrical power. The main advantages of this novel HyCap configuration are: (1) enhanced power density compared with lithium-ion batteries, meaning a smaller weight and volume overhead on the vessel; (2) very high power ramp-up from a relatively small super-capacitor; (3) avoidance of the fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries; (4) lower cost and longer life compared with lithium-ion batteries; (5) suitability for retro-fitting (due to its compactness) offering a stronger investment case for decarbonising existing diesel-powered vessels.Collaborations with a range of vessel operators and naval architects over recent years have highlighted a number of common use-cases where this type of hybrid drive would offer substantial benefits. These include: ferries which require short-duration high power for manoeuvring into/away from berth; workboats that cruise at modest speed with bursts at higher power/speed. In such use-cases, the energy required for the boost power of limited duration is compatible with the capabilities of the super-capacitor modules.The project will build and test a prototype unit comprising an existing parallel hybrid gearbox and electric motor, coupled with an assembly of super-capacitor modules and associated dc-dc converter and variable frequency drive. This will be tested in a laboratory rig comprising a prime-mover engine and output dynamometer, with a full suite of monitoring and logging facilities.