During the first half of the project the following activities are performed, and the main results are achieved:
- The technical, regulatory, and operational requirements for solutions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from small fishing vessels under real operating conditions and the range of fishing vessel types operating in the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions are defined.
- Existing fishing vessels hulls are modelled, and experimental tests and simulations have been performed adding to the existing vessel design hull appendage configurations achieving up to 35% reduction in hydrodynamic resistance.
- The feasibility of different composites material to be used in the hull appendages has been tested and evaluated. The reduction in weight of 17% vs GFRP, and 44% vs Aluminium is achieved maintaining similar mechanical properties.
- A novel integrated sensor design with composite and silicone walls has been built and the preliminary experiments have shown a clear response of the sensor to changes in water pressure, validating the proposal.
- A modular electrical architecture centred around a 48 VDC main distribution bus was defined as the baseline solution. This configuration was selected due to its suitability for small-vessel retrofits, favourable safety characteristics, and compatibility with commercially available ESS and converter technologies.
- A hierarchical PMS structure was defined to separate supervisory decision-making from operational mode management and real-time protection functions. The EMS logic was developed.
- Battery cell parameters and preliminary structure of the battery modules were analyzed and LFP cylindrical cells FC46120P as the most suitable from the weight characteristics including considerations for cold weather operations. Dis-/charge behavior at different C-rates, Life-Cycle tests, Storage tests and Overcharge tests were performed to ensure the cells fit the necessary selection parameters. BMS requirements were specified, BMS system, the main contactor, fuse, pre-charge contactor and load resistor were selected, and an electrical Model was built. The mechanical design was done, ensuring the mechanical requirements like shock/vibration stability, the required safety level and the entire thermal design using materials with suitable thermal conductivity. Fire-retardant carbon-fibre reinforced polyamide composites for the manufacture of a lightweight, recyclable battery box was developed and validated.
- Low-weight and flexible photovoltaic panels based on silicon cells and flexible connector developed. Tests for contactless energy collection performed with efficiency measured at 95%. Water ingress tests have been successfully performed.
- A prototype of a mobile application for Eco driving mode is developed supported by Human-Machine Interface.
- 25 kW RIM Drive Engine is in development stage with the target delivery for the prototype units is planned for end of Q2 2026.
- Air lubrication technology system components are selected, a hull model in scale of 1:1.5 (5m) is manufactured and equipped with the custom design components of air lubrication system for further tests.
