Multiple Time Scale Energy Management for a Fuel Cell Ship Propulsion System

Electrified propulsion systems, such as fuel cells (FCs) and batteries, are a promising solution to decarbonize the shipping sector. In this paper, we have conducted a comprehensive analysis of two months' worth of real-world container ship power demand data. From this analysis, we propose a novel multi-time scale Energy Management System (EMS) approach for a hybrid FC/battery propulsion system. This approach enables the individual control of each FC stack while factoring in battery and FC degradation losses and fuel consumption costs. By exploring different time scales, we have assessed the trade-offs between time complexity and system optimality, which has led us to devise an efficient strategy for the energy management of FC/battery hybrid ships.