The best value can be realized when designing vessels, and identifying existing vessels, where sailing and hull performance will optimize electric propulsion and the ability to regenerate while under sail. The complete system will combine with solar and/or wind inputs to allow for completely self-sustaining vessels while underway or moored.
The hydrogeneration allowed by Oceanvolt systems has the potential to be the largest supplier of power to a self-sustaining vessel. With a maximum regenerative capacity of 5kW per drive, a fast sailing vessel can rely on this power the same way regenerative braking in electric and hybrid cars extend the range far beyond the batteries. Additionally, a sailboat is the perfect machine for this technology because the wind powered sailing can extend the range to infinity and also supply house and service power needs while underway through hydrogeneration.
This creates a new paradigm in sailing where at a designed ratio of sailing to motoring a vessel can effectively have infinite range. This of course has always been the case, but now a sailing vessel can have infinite range for the auxiliary propulsion as well as unlimited house and service loads when charging conditions are met.
Continue reading the fifth part of this white-paper: Value of electric propulsion for sailboats: Cheaper and easier to own and maintain or leave your email address below to download the full white-paper in PDF format: