Splash247: Alewijnse and University of Twente team up on vessel electrification testing

Published by Splash247

Alewijnse has entered into a collaboration with the University of Twente to advance the use of Hardware-in-the-Loop technology for maritime electrification projects.

The partnership combines the university’s research expertise in power electronics and energy systems with Alewijnse’s experience in maritime engineering and system integration. The two organisations aim to improve how new electrical systems and energy management strategies are developed and validated before being installed onboard vessels.

The collaboration began through the master’s research of University of Twente student Petar Vuckovic at Alewijnse. His work is contributing to the development of a Typhoon HIL solution that can test Energy Management System algorithms in real time.

Hardware-in-the-Loop technology allows engineers to model and assess electrical systems and energy management strategies before practical deployment, reducing development risks and supporting faster innovation.

“Hardware-in-the-Loop enables us to validate energy management strategies and electrical systems before implementation onboard vessels,” said Zoran Malbasic, senior R&D systems engineer at Alewijnse.

Vuckovic’s research focuses on system integration and the stability of power management systems in a DC environment, including the monitoring and regulation of voltage across onboard electrical systems.

Alewijnse said the collaboration comes as shipowners and yards increasingly explore hybrid propulsion systems combining batteries, fuel cells, biofuel cells and other fuels. The company is also developing power conversion, DC grid and advanced energy management technologies designed to optimise onboard energy flows.