Back to Projects

Engineering · Final Year Project

MARINE
ENGINEERING
FYP

Category Naval Architecture / Electrification
Institution Singapore Polytechnic
Phase Ideation → Prototype → Testing

Overview

Final Year project — 'A look into the future of OSVs'. Built a proof-of-concept for offshore support vessel wireless charging, extending operational range through renewables. Using solar panels and wind turbines, the Renewable Energy Module (REM) harnesses energy from the environment to increase generation capacity for electrified vessels at sea.

Problem

The maritime industry produces significant carbon emissions annually through the usage of HFOs (Heavy Fuel Oils). Reducing these numbers helps limit global warming, preventing climate impacts like extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ecosystem collapse. Electrification of offshore support vessels represents one concrete pathway toward decarbonisation.

Approach

The project revolved around experimental research into the viability of electrification of offshore support vessels, utilising design thinking, engineering drawing, AutoCAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, and electrical circuitry. Conducted across three phases.

Phase 1: Ideation. Taking into consideration the emphasis on sustainability in the maritime industry, the team brainstormed and conducted a comprehensive literature review to understand current charging infrastructure and renewable power generation for harbour crafts.

Phase 2: Prototyping. Development started with a sketch inspired by a box barge design. Using naval architecture to calculate scale, the team fabricated in acrylic for familiarity, with connections created via 3D printing and logic processes operated through mini-computers.

Phase 3: Testing. The team tested across multiple occasions — charging capabilities, electrical operations, component fitting — and logged every result. Completing research on the build's capability to charge and operate in a scaled-down scenario.

Impact

ADVANTAGES

  1. Extended range: The REM is able to power itself continuously using solar and wind, making it accessible in the open ocean where charging infrastructure is absent.
  2. Autonomous operation: Majority of the REM's systems are autonomously controlled, requiring only minimal crew intervention.

LIMITATIONS

  1. Technology constraints: Current limitations in battery capacity, wireless charging range, and machine learning mean larger models are not yet viable.
  2. Weather dependency: Offshore conditions are uncertain — tidal variations risk collision, and energy generation depends on ideal wind and solar conditions.
  3. Energy scaling: Power requirements grow exponentially with vessel size, requiring proportionally larger generation and storage capacity.

In conclusion, within the maritime industry, sustainable and eco-friendly solutions are highly emphasised — not only to decarbonise, but to preserve the environments we enjoy today for future generations. This prototype is an interesting take on the possibilities of electrification, merging offshore renewable energy with the maritime sector.

Demo

Full project report available — covers naval architecture calculations, circuit schematics, and test results.

View Report