The HyCap Drive project, which is developing a marine parallel hybrid drive system utilising a supercapacitor, has commenced testing and data logging of its prototype test rig at the University of Birmingham. The project partners, who include MSE International (Project Lead), Marine and Industrial Transmissions (MIT), Aluminium Marine Consultants and the University of Birmingham, recently met at the University's Centre for Railway, Research and Education in order to see the prototype test rig and discuss the project's progress.

The hybrid drive system with integral supercapacitor energy storage is being designed to meet propulsion power peaks for commercial craft such as workboats, pilot vessels and crew transfer vessels. The prototype system is being tested with real-work duty cycles in order to prove its feasibility in a marine environment.

The project is hoping to demonstrate advantages including improved efficiency for vessels operating at low power with short peaks of high loads, as well as enabling the use of a smaller/lighter engine and reduced fire risks and longer life compared to lithium-ion batteries.

The project partners have already completed the drive specification and integration design, as well as the electrical drive system engineering and prototype assembly. Testing of the system is now taking place at the University and other partners are looking at use-case definitions for various vessel types and the potential for exploitation of the novel system.

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