Power Electronic Skills for Electric Powertrain in Marine Propulsion

The interest in electric mobility is growing exponentially as technological advancement brings the cost of hardware many folds over a short period of time.Automobile manufacturers around the world set ambitious production targets to roll out electric vehicles from their factory doors, primarily to address global warming.At the same time, drivers of electric cars fall in love with the performance, and maneuverability, and feel good about helping the environment.Underneath all these lies two enabling technologies -power electronics and batteries.The traditional ICE engine is replaced by a power-electronic controller and a motor while a battery pack takes the place of a fuel tank.Higher education institutions in the United States lag way behind in preparing the workforce because good electrical powertrain design engineer needs interdisciplinary training over time.Soon, the marine industry will follow the automotive industry's departure from the traditional.The global electric boat market is worth US$4.49Bn in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period from 2020 to 2027.The noteworthy advantages offered by electric boats are noiseless, smokeless, no carbon footprint, no pollution of water, fewer vibrations, and less engine maintenance than the combustion boat.The advancement in lightweight Li-Ion high power density battery technology with decreasing prices and increasing power density also fuels the market growth.