HEVIMA is an Innovate UK supported project led by REAPsystems Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Southampton (Professor Suleiman Sharkh and Dr Mehdi Hendijanizadeh ) and five industrial partners. The project aims to develop an innovative modular parallel hybrid marine power system that surpasses the efficiency and emission levels of existing hybrid systems. Modularity is a key in this project to reduce the engineering and implementation cost of hybrid systems in ships. The system is particularly relevant in the small commercial vessel market for craft which generally have low average loads, but also require extended periods of high power.
The HEVIMA project will focus on three integrated technologies:
Firstly, electric integrated motors (in flywheel), where it explores new types of electrical motor which have high torque densities. The construction of these machines is very modular and scalable
Secondly, it develops safe, reliable, modularised and scalable high density batteries with algorithmic assessment of safety critical battery deterioration and state of health
Thirdly, it investigates a versatile and open energy management and control system, that enhances the adaptability/flexibility of energy/electrical power use with potential impact across a wide spectrum of different marine vessels.
The proposed novel system offers significant savings in fuel consumption, engine power rating, weight, emissions, noise and vibrations. The technology is being refined to ensure that it can be routinely deployed to provide safe, reliable and repeatable operations in the commercial marine sector. In doing so, it is projected to provide potential cost savings to the UK industry of £6.5M /year and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 30,000 tonnes. Savings and benefits to individual vessel owners will be modelled in the project, to create a compelling value proposition to deploy HEVIMA technology.
The project is hosting a HEVIMA Interest Group to enable potential end users and other interested parties to learn more about the project outputs. Interactions with the group will assist the project to develop routes to market for this innovative technology. Group members will be first to see public project information, and will be able to interact with the project consortium. Group members will also be invited to attend workshops and networking sessions as the technology develops.
Membership of the Interest Group is free of charge, to join please use this link