Optimal sizing of hybrid ship power system using variants of particle swarm optimization

Conventionally, ships have used diesel engine run generators to meet the electrical load demands varying from general lighting purposes to powering advanced machinery onboard. However, due to escalating fuel prices, the marine industry is compelled to search for alternate sources of energy to fulfill its increasing load demands. Simply relying on diesel generators for the same implies significantly increasing the ships' CO₂ emissions. Therefore, it is imperative to shift from conventional to renewable sources of energy to minimize fuel consumption and thereby reduce the carbon footprint of the marine industry. This paper explores the impact of using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) with Time varying inertia weight (TVIW), and Triangular PSO on the optimal sizing of PV, Energy storage system and Diesel generator output, onboard an oil tanker so as to minimize emissions at an economical cost.