Design and Sizing of an Energy Storage System for a Hybrid Tugboat

The global maritime industry is increasingly prioritizing sustainability, promoting the adoption of various hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems for different vessel types. This paper presents a design and sizing methodology of an energy storage system for a hybrid tugboat, customized to meet the operational demands while minimizing environmental impact. The proposed framework integrates analysis of load profile, energy storage sizing, battery technologies selection, and propulsion system optimization to achieve an optimal balance between performance, and emissions reduction. The results demonstrate that a well-designed energy storage system for a hybrid tugboat can achieve reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions without compromising the availability and robustness required for towing and transit operations.