Simulation of Solar Energy Harvesting on a 25-Meter Electric Passenger Ferry

Danang Cahyagi; Naufal Abdurrahman Prasetyo; Jansen Anugrah Siregar; Floribertus Rio Ferdinand

doi:10.12962/j25481479.v10i2.22860

Simulation of Solar Energy Harvesting on a 25-Meter Electric Passenger Ferry

Danang Cahyagi, Naufal Abdurrahman Prasetyo, Jansen Anugrah Siregar, Floribertus Rio Ferdinand

Abstract

This study investigates the integration of a solar photovoltaic system on the passenger ferry E.V. Calestia operating along Manila’s Pasig River. The ferry, equipped with dual 400 kW electric motors and a battery bank of 1848 kWh, is supplemented by 20 solar panels installed on its top deck. Using a Simulink-based simulation model, the research estimates the power output and cumulative energy generation based on panel specifications, solar irradiance, and system efficiency. Results show a maximum instantaneous power output of approximately 3 kW during peak sunlight and a total weekly energy generation of around 150 kWh. These findings demonstrate the potential of solar power to enhance the ferry’s energy sustainability by reducing reliance on conventional charging and lowering emissions, thus promoting greener maritime transport solutions in urban river environments.

Keywords

passenger ferry; solar energy; power generation; electric vessel

Full Text:

PDF

References

Z. Wang, M. Li, N. Cao, P. Liao, Y. Ji, and F. Han, “Enhancing renewable energy utilization and energy management strategies for new energy yachts,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 18, p. e37863, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37863.

M. Issa, A. Ilinca, and F. Martini, “Ship Energy Efficiency and Maritime Sector Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Emissions,” Energies, vol. 15, no. 21, p. 7910, Oct. 2022, doi: 10.3390/en15217910.

M. Tarkowski, “On the Emergence of Sociotechnical Regimes of Electric Urban Water Transit Systems,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 19, p. 6111, Sep. 2021, doi: 10.3390/en14196111.

C. L. Abas, A. C. Velasco, and C. Arceo, “Application of a reaction-based water quality model to the total dissolved solids concentration of the Pasig River,” PeerJ, vol. 12, p. e18076, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.7717/peerj.18076.

Q. Hassan, S. Algburi, A. Z. Sameen, H. M. Salman, and M. Jaszczur, “A review of hybrid renewable energy systems: Solar and wind-powered solutions: Challenges, opportunities, and policy implications,” Results Eng., vol. 20, p. 101621, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101621.

M. Vivar, S. H, and M. Fuentes, “Photovoltaic system adoption in water related technologies – A review,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 189, p. 114004, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.114004.

H. Chen, Y. Wen, Y. Huang, L. Song, and Z. Sui, “Inland waterway autonomous transportation: System architecture, infrastructure and key technologies,” J. Ind. Inf. Integr., vol. 46, p. 100858, Jul. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jii.2025.100858.

T. Rehman et al., “Global perspectives on advancing photovoltaic system performance—A state-of-the-art review,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 207, p. 114889, Jan. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114889.

L. A. Iturralde Carrera, M. G. Garcia-Barajas, C. D. Constantino-Robles, J. M. Álvarez-Alvarado, Y. Castillo-Alvarez, and J. Rodríguez-Reséndiz, “Efficiency and Sustainability in Solar Photovoltaic Systems: A Review of Key Factors and Innovative Technologies,” Eng, vol. 6, no. 3, p. 50, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.3390/eng6030050.

B. E. Escoto and M. L. S. Abundo, “Evaluating the feasibility and sustainability of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) for electric vessel charging applications: A case study in Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines,” Results Eng., vol. 26, p. 105119, Jun. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.105119.

L. McAllister and H. Wang, “Techno-Economic and Environmental Analysis of the Integration of PV Systems into Hybrid Vessels,” Energies, vol. 17, no. 10, p. 2303, May 2024, doi: 10.3390/en17102303.

S. R. Korada, R. Brinda, and I. D. Soubache, “Analysis of Power Electronics Contribution to Electric Vehicles using Renewable Energy,” in 2023 International Conference on Data Science and Network Security (ICDSNS), Jul. 2023, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/ICDSNS58469.2023.10244991.

S. Gudhe and S. Singh, “Power electronic essentials in electric vehicle,” in Electric Vehicle Components and Charging Technologies: Design, modeling, simulation and control, Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2023, pp. 73–82. doi: 10.1049/PBTR039E_ch4.

W. Anjum, A. R. Husain, J. Abdul Aziz, S. M. Fasih ur Rehman, M. P. Bakht, and H. Alqaraghuli, “A Robust Dynamic Control Strategy for Standalone PV System under Variable Load and Environmental Conditions,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 8, p. 4601, Apr. 2022, doi: 10.3390/su14084601.

S. R. Sæther and E. Moe, “A green maritime shift: Lessons from the electrification of ferries in Norway,” Energy Res. Soc. Sci., vol. 81, p. 102282, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102282.

M. Perčić, I. Jovanović, A. Fan, and N. Vladimir, “Design of alternative power systems for ferries operating in the Adriatic Sea,” Ocean Eng., vol. 319, p. 120246, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.120246.

G. Tuğdemir Kök, M. S. Celik, and E. Koc, “Evaluating IMO 2030 strategies for environmental sustainability in maritime transportation using ANP method,” Mar. Pollut. Bull., vol. 215, p. 117847, Jun. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117847.

A. K. Sharma and D. P. Kothari, “Solar PV potential for passenger ferry boats in India’s National Waterways,” in 2018 2nd International Conference on Inventive Systems and Control (ICISC), Jan. 2018, pp. 120–130. doi: 10.1109/ICISC.2018.8399035.

R. Jayabal, “Towards a carbon-free society: Innovations in green energy for a sustainable future,” Results Eng., vol. 24, p. 103121, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103121.

W. Khalid, Q. Awais, M. Jamil, and A. A. Khan, “Dynamic Simulation and Optimization of Off-Grid Hybrid Power Systems for Sustainable Rural Development,” Electronics, vol. 13, no. 13, p. 2487, Jun. 2024, doi: 10.3390/electronics13132487.

M. A. Green et al., “Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 61),” Prog. Photovoltaics Res. Appl., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 3–16, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1002/pip.3646.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12962%2Fj25481479.v10i2.22860