Techno-economic analysis of PV systems integrated into ship power grid: A case study

Abstract

The integration of a photovoltaic (PV) system into a ship power grid has recently become an important strategy of saving energy and reducing emissions from ships. Since the close relationship between the energy derived from the PV system and the navigation plans of ships including location, navigation routes and times, the techno-economic evaluation of the PV systems integrated into ship power grid is very important to ensure their proper application in ships. In this study, a ship-PV grid-connected power system incorporating in the COSCO TENGFEI pure car and truck carrier is selected as a case to conduct a comprehensive techno-economic analysis and an environmental performance assessment based on single and multi-criteria evaluation methods. Taking into account the uncertainty of navigation plan, the techno-economic efficiency of the power system along six main navigation routes are evaluated separately. The evaluation results show that the hybrid power system has high financial feasibility and environmental performance. Furthermore, the Asia-Malacca-Gibraltar-Europe navigation route has the best feasibility while the Asia-Bering-Europe navigation route has the worst feasible among the six main navigation routes. This case study provides a reliable reference for investment of hybrid power system.