Fuzzy Logic Control of a Hybrid Internal Combustion Engine Electric Propulsion System for a Trimaran Prototype
Keywords:
Marine hybrid propulsion, Speed tracking, Energy management, Fuzzy logic control, Trimaran prototypeAbstract
This research experimentally evaluates fuzzy logic speed control for a trimaran prototype equipped with two brushless direct current electric motors and one internal combustion engine (ICE). The controller coordinates three propulsion modes and adjusts the rotational speed references to track five ship speed setpoints (2.16, 2.70, 3.78, 4.86, and 5.94 knots) during river trials against a measured current of 0.58 m/s (1.13 knots). Performance was compared with a fixed RPM baseline established in preliminary trials. Across the five operating points, fuzzy control reduced the mean absolute speed tracking error from 0.609 to 0.433 knots (28.89%) and reduced the mean RMSE from 0.808 to 0.572 knots. Mean electric motor power was lower under fuzzy control at all setpoints, but at 3.78, 4.86, and 5.94 knots the ICE fuel consumption increased substantially. The results therefore support improved speed tracking, but they do not demonstrate an improvement in total energy efficiency or emissions. The principal contribution is physical prototype validation of a speed based hybrid propulsion control strategy under river disturbances, together with identification of the trade off between tracking accuracy and ICE fuel use.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Eddy Setyo Koenhardono, Edi Kurniawan, S.ST., MT., Dr. Indra Ranu Kusuma, ST., MSc., Dr. Eng. Adi Kurniawan, ST., MT.
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