The HYMAR project was a 3-year, €3 million EU-funded collaboration between 9 partners to develop hybrid propulsion technology for recreational marine vehicles. The goals were to collect data on hybrid systems, fill technology gaps, develop an open systems architecture, and deliver noise/emission reductions and 30% fuel savings. Key outcomes included a new hybrid propeller, batteries, sensors, energy management system, and remote monitoring. Benefits of the collaboration included accelerated development, access to more intellectual property, and lasting industrial partnerships.

1. Ken Wittamore
HYMAR project manager

3. Topics
 Collaborative research – why bother?
 EU collaborative R&D
 HYMAR – a case study
 Pitfalls
 Benefits
 Conclusion

4. Collaborative research – why
bother?
 The development of sophisticated, commercial
technologies is too expensive for most companies
 Publicly funded, collaborative research provides a way
forward
 Collaborative research allows:
 Shared risk and cost
 Access to a broader knowledge base
 Faster development
 Opportunity to work with the best of the best

5. EU collaborative R&D
 FP7 is the EU programme for collaborative research &
development which runs from 2007 to 2013
 It is a public investment in key EU industrial sectors and in
SMEs
 Programme content is driven by industry
 In return for receiving the investment, business is
expected to :
 Help deliver EU policy objectives
 Be more competitive
 Be more sustainable
 Be smarter

6. Recreational marine industry EU
research route map

7. A case study

8. The EU HYMAR project
 Aims:
 To collect objective data on hybrid propulsion in “small”
craft
 To fill in the missing technology gaps
 To develop an open systems architecture
 To deliver:
 No noise and no emissions in port
 Reduction in fuel consumption of 30%

9. The EU HYMAR project
 3 years 2009 – 2012
 €2M EU grant for a €3M project cost
 9 partners:
1. ICOMIA (BE) Management and standards
2. INSEAN (IT) Hydrodynamics and modelling
3. Bruntons (UK) Propeller design and manufacture
4. Enersys (UK) Energy storage
5. Malo yachts (SW) Naval engineering
6. ESP (UK) Hybrid science and technology
7. Steyr Motors (AU) Hybrid diesel engines
8. Mastervolt (NL) Power electronics
9. Triskel Marine (UK) System integration and control

14. Three into one will go

15. Bruntons/INSEAN propeller
 Three propellers in one:
 Effective with the electric motor
 Effective with the diesel engine
 Effective as a water turbine for regeneration
 Self pitching propeller based on Bruntons Autoprop
 Designed entirely using numerical methods developed by
INSEAN

16. Bruntons Autoprop

17. Reverse engineering

18. Mathematical modelling

20. Blade optimisation

21. Real engineering

24. Fuel economy (litres/mile)
2.00
1.80
1.60
1.40
Consumption (litres/mile)
3 blade fixed
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40 INSEAN II
0.20
0.00
4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5
Boat speed (knots)

25. Fuel economy (litres/mile)
2.00
1.80
1.60
30% fuel saving!
1.40
Consumption (litres/mile)
3 blade fixed
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40 INSEAN II
0.20
0.00
4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5
Boat speed (knots)

26. Thin plate pure lead
lead acid batteries from Enersys

28. Open systems architecture

29. Hybrid management system
 TML produced an open architecture hybrid management
system:
 Connects to any and all components
 Delivers all data to one point
 Provides a single point user interface
 Distributes data throughout the vessel and over the
internet
 Provides the basis for comprehensive control of all system
elements

34. Technical outcomes
 Fuel reduction of >30%
 No noise and no emissions in port – virtually silent under
electric power
 Greatly improved energy management
 Potential for complete energy autonomy at sea
 Cheap and plentiful domestic power
 Reduced engine running hours and maintenance costs
 “Access anywhere” to all boat data

35. Practical outcomes
 New hybrid propeller
 New optimised hybrid batteries
 New energy sensors (voltage and current)
 New energy management system
 New remote “access anywhere” data monitoring
technology
 New knowledge

37. Pitfalls
 Select partners with great care
 Be very clear about roles and obligations
 Avoid any industrial overlap or competition between
partners
 Ensure partners are committed
 Ensure that the objectives deliver value for all

39. Benefits
 Cash
 Significantly accelerated and expanded product
development
 Quicker to market
 Access to IP that is normally hidden
 Strong industrial network that endures beyond the
project itself
 Increased exposure

41. Just do it!

42. +44 17 26 83 38 64
+44 77 74 94 06 47
ken@triskelmarine.co.uk