A Review of Hybrid Energy Management Systems for Ships

To support the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 greenhouse gas reduction targets, hybrid propulsion energy management systems (EMS)—which integrate multi-energy coordination and dynamic scheduling—have become a critical pathway for enabling low-carbon transitions and improving energy efficiency in the maritime sector. This paper conducts a comprehensive and structured analysis of EMS technologies applied to ship hybrid propulsion systems. It evaluates the functional roles of EMS under varying system architectures, synthesizes mainstream energy management strategies, and identifies current technological bottlenecks, thereby contributing theoretical foundations for the green transformation of the shipping industry. The study first examines representative hybrid propulsion architectures, detailing their technical characteristics to clarify the functional positioning and optimization priorities of EMS in each configuration. It then reviews prevailing energy management and control strategies, with a focus on their integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of adaptive and data-driven approaches. Finally, the paper identifies key challenges in hybrid propulsion EMS, proposes future research directions, and offers practical recommendations to support the advancement and implementation of intelligent energy management technologies in maritime applications.