Photovoltaic-based vertical wireless charging for sustainable marine electric systems
• Innovative design of wireless power transmission coupled with solar panels in a system specifically designed for marine propulsion charging. • The proposed phase shift control technique for transmitter-side inverters improves load reliability and cost-effectiveness without the need for communication channels. • The Vertical Wireless Power Transfer enhances system efficiency across diverse misalignment scenarios in Marine Electric Drive Transportation. • The proposed approach exhibits a highly efficient power transfer with minimal losses, outperforming the conventional PV-WPT charging method. When MEV undergoes simultaneous charging, the system attains an impressive overall efficiency of 92 %. Maritime transportation relies heavily on the movement of fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to CO 2 emissions and water pollution, raising serious environmental concerns. This research presents an innovative system combining solar PV technology and Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) for Marine Electric Vehicles (MEVs), which aims to revolutionize marine transportation. The proposed system uses solar energy collected by PV panels installed in the docking area, and then transfers the power to the MEV through a Resonance Inductive Power Transfer (RIPT) mechanism to charge the battery system. This approach overcomes the limitations of conventional wired charging systems, including wear and tear in harsh marine environments, as well as enhances safety by eliminating electrical connectors. ANSYS-MAXWELL simulations are used to evaluate the system performance and further, it is validated through experimental verification. The system achieves 92 % efficiency in a 1 kW Wireless Charging System (WCS), even under variable solar irradiance and Transmitter-Receiver coil misalignment conditions. The key innovation in this system includes the phase shift control technique for the driver-side transmission mechanism, ensuring efficient power transfer without communication channels. The combination of PV and WPT reduces grid dependency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports multiple MEV configurations. Long-term benefits include reduced operating costs, longer equipment life, and increased safety due to reduced hazards such as electric shock and explosions. Future developments include closed-loop operation and IoT integration for real-time monitoring and speed control. This technology is a transformative step towards sustainable maritime transport, supporting global decarbonization goals by reducing emissions and promoting environmental protection.
Authors
- Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3212-2750)
- C. Bharatiraja (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2517-2119)
- R. Nakkeeran
Institutions
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology (IN)
- University of South-Eastern Norway (NO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Results in Engineering
- Published
- 2025-04-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.105044
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Wireless Power Transfer Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.19
Funders
- Tamilnadu State Council For Science And Technology
- Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India
- Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration
- Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development Division