SHIFT | Standardised, modular and hybrid marine power systems

Region:

Wallonia

Financed by

Accelerating the transition to low-emission vessels

The maritime sector is accelerating its transition towards cleaner propulsion technologies. However, integrating hybrid and low-emission energy systems remains complex and highly customised. SHIFT develops modular and standardised marine power systems that combine batteries, generator Power Packs and intelligent energy management to simplify integration and support vessel decarbonisation.

Target group

SHIFT is relevant for organisations involved in the design, integration and operation of low-emission vessels, including:

Shipbuilders and ship designers
Inland navigation operators and fleet owners
Maritime system integrators and propulsion technology providers
Companies involved in vessel retrofitting and electrification projects

Context

The maritime sector is undergoing a major energy transition driven by climate objectives, regulatory requirements, and the need to reduce operating costs. While hybrid and electric propulsion technologies are becoming increasingly available, their integration into vessels often remains complex and highly customised.

Today, shipbuilders and system integrators frequently rely on project-specific engineering approaches, resulting in lengthy development cycles, high integration costs, and limited scalability. This complexity can slow down the adoption of low-emission technologies and make retrofitting existing vessels more challenging.

A more standardised and modular approach could significantly simplify vessel electrification, improve flexibility, and facilitate future transitions towards new energy carriers and propulsion technologies.

Objectives & results

SHIFT aims to develop and validate a modular hybrid marine power system that combines battery and generator Power Packs through an advanced Energy Management System (EMS).

The project will:

Develop high-energy-density battery modules suitable for maritime applications
Design modular and interchangeable Power Packs that simplify vessel integration and future upgrades
Develop an intelligent Energy Management System capable of optimising energy flows in real time
Validate the complete hybrid propulsion architecture under operational conditions
Demonstrate the feasibility of standardised marine power systems for a wide range of vessel types

Key results:

A fully integrated hybrid marine power system demonstrator validated in real operating conditions
Advanced battery modules and battery management technologies adapted to the requirements of maritime environments
An Energy Management System that dynamically balances energy production, storage and consumption to improve overall efficiency
Design methodologies and integration guidelines that support the implementation of modular power systems in newbuild and retrofit projects
Simulation models, technical reports and validation results that help accelerate industrial adoption of these technologies

These results will support shipbuilders, vessel operators, and technology providers in reducing emissions, lowering operating costs, and simplifying the deployment of low-emission propulsion technologies.

Approach

The project combines research, engineering, and industrial validation across the complete marine power system value chain.

1. System architecture and design
The consortium develops a modular hybrid propulsion architecture based on standardised battery and generator Power Packs, ensuring flexibility and ease of integration.

2. Component development and optimisation
Battery technologies, power electronics, and energy management functionalities are developed and optimised through simulation, thermal analysis, and vibration assessments.

3. Integration and validation
The different system components are integrated into a complete hybrid propulsion solution and tested under representative maritime operating conditions.

4. Demonstration and industrial deployment
The project validates the technology onboard a vessel and evaluates its technical, environmental, and economic performance to support future industrial deployment.