Volume 15, Issue 10 · IJARST · ISSN 2319-1783 / 2320-1126

Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Scaled Hybrid Solar–Electric Inland Waterway Vessel for Sustainable River Transportation.

Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Scaled Hybrid Solar–Electric Inland Waterway Vessel for Sustainable River Transportation. is an open-access, peer-reviewed research paper by Joy Edet, Owoidoho Brown, Ephraim Afia, Yireobong Akpaba, published in Volume 15, Issue 10 of the International Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Technology (IJARST), a UGC-approved journal (Print ISSN 2319-1783, Online ISSN 2320-1126).

Author

Joy Edet, Owoidoho Brown, Ephraim Afia, Yireobong Akpaba

Abstract

The transition toward low-emission inland waterway transport requires practical propulsion concepts that combine renewable energy with efficient hull and electric-drive technologies. This study presents the design, construction and performance evaluation of a 1:12 scaled hybrid solar–electric inland waterway vessel. The prototype employed a displacement hull, a 200W photovoltaic array, a 12.8V, 100Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, a 500W electric propulsion motor and a three-bladed propeller. Hull resistance and propulsion requirements were estimated before fabrication, while controlled calm-water trials were used to evaluate speed, electrical power demand, solar contribution, battery state of charge and propulsive efficiency. Results showed an increase in electrical power demand from 95 W at 0.60m/s to 575W at 1.60m/s. Maximum propulsive efficiency of approximately 51% occurred at 1.20m/s, while the instantaneous solar contribution ranged from 68.4% at 0.60 m/s to 23.5% at 1.60 m/s. The study demonstrates the technical feasibility of integrating photovoltaic generation, battery storage and electric propulsion in a small inland-waterway craft and identifies operating speed as a key determinant of renewable-energy contribution.

Keywords: Solar photovoltaic; Hybrid propulsion; Electric boat; Inland waterway; Prototype; Propulsive efficiency; Renewable energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262855

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DOI

10.62226/ijarst20262855

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How do you cite this paper?

Joy Edet, Owoidoho Brown, Ephraim Afia, Yireobong Akpaba — “Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Scaled Hybrid Solar–Electric Inland Waterway Vessel for Sustainable River Transportation..” International Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Technology (IJARST), Volume 15, Issue 10. DOI: 10.62226/ijarst20262855.

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