Hybrid Propulsion Systems: Design, Power Management and Control
A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editors
Interests: performance simulation and optimization of ship propulsion systems; ship–engine–propeller matching; simulation and optimization of marine natural gas engines; design and simulation of marine electric propulsion systems; design and optimization of marine novel fuel engines
Interests: integrated design and performance simulation of marine propulsion systems; energy management and coordinated control of marine hybrid power systems; ship–engine–propeller matching
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Maritime decarbonization imperatives and stringent emission regulations are driving the adoption of hybrid propulsion systems in modern vessels. These systems integrate conventional diesel generators with energy storage facilities (e.g., lithium batteries and ultracapacitors) and renewable sources, enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility. Optimized power management can effectively reduce fuel consumption through dynamic load control and hybrid energy storage coordination. However, challenges persist in system design, real-time energy management under volatile sea conditions, and ensuring safety during power–source transitions. Advances in smart control and multi-objective optimization are critical to overcoming these barriers.
This Special Issue, entitled "Hybrid Propulsion Systems: Design, Power Management and Control", seeks high-quality research addressing these challenges. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- System Design and Optimization: Novel architectures for hybrid propulsion, component sizing, and multi-objective trade-offs (efficiency, cost, and emissions).
- Energy Management Strategies: Adaptive control algorithms (e.g., fuzzy logic, ECMS, and model predictive control) for power allocation between generators, batteries, and ultracapacitors.
- Stability and Safety: Mitigation of torque/power fluctuations using hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs) and fault-tolerant control.
- Advanced Control Systems: Real-time optimization of engine–generator sets, HESS coordination, and dynamic response enhancement.
- Sustainability Integration: Role of fuel cells, hydrogen, and renewables in hybrid propulsion and lifecycle analysis.
- Validation Methods: Digital twin simulations, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and case studies on real vessel operational data.
We welcome original research and reviews that bridge theoretical innovation with practical implementation, fostering safer, greener, and smarter maritime propulsion.
Prof. Dr. Yu Ding
Dr. Congbiao Sui
Guest Editors
Dr. La Xiang
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- hybrid propulsion
- design and optimization
- energy efficiency
- operational safety
- power management
- control
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