Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Alternative Energy on Boats Course

This course gives you an all-round view of the transition towards more sustainable boating. You will learn how solar panels, small wind turbines, hydro generators, batteries, electric and hybrid propulsion, hydrogen and biofuels can be applied on board, how to compare their technical and economic viability for different types of vessel, and how to size and plan a realistic solution that cuts fuel consumption and emissions while keeping the boat safe and autonomous.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Alternative Energy on Boats Course?

This short course prepares you to assess and plan the use of alternative energy on sailing yachts, motorboats, catamarans, passenger craft and service boats. You will study the difference between renewable energy, clean propulsion, auxiliary generation and hybrid systems; how solar, wind and hydro generation behave in the marine environment and how they connect to battery banks, chargers and inverters; battery chemistries, electric propulsion and diesel-electric hybrids; onboard energy management with monitors and BMS; and emerging options such as hydrogen and fuel cells, HVO and biodiesel, methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels, with their real technical and supply challenges.

What sets this course apart: a comparative, decision-oriented approach that weighs each technology against route, climate, type of boat, consumption and operating profile rather than presenting a single answer; basic sizing of generation, storage, daily demand and peak loads for both passage and anchorage scenarios; attention to the safety and maintenance demands of the marine environment; and an applied project in which you diagnose a real or realistic vessel and design, size and cost an alternative energy solution with its installation and maintenance plan.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Foundations: renewable energy, clean propulsion, auxiliary generation and hybrid systems on board.
  • Onboard renewables: solar panels with MPPT controllers, small wind turbines and hydro generators.
  • Storage and propulsion: lead-acid, AGM, gel and LFP batteries, electric motors and diesel-electric hybrids.
  • Energy management: monitors, BMS, load priorities and protection against deep discharge.
  • Alternative fuels: hydrogen and fuel cells, HVO, biodiesel, methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels.
  • Applied project: diagnosis, sizing and installation plan of an alternative energy solution for a vessel.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Alternative Energy on Boats Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of alternative energy, energy efficiency and the sustainable transition on vessels

  • 1.1. The concept of alternative energy on boats and the differences between renewable energy, clean propulsion, auxiliary generation and hybrid systems
  • 1.2. Main sources: solar photovoltaic, wind, hydro generation, batteries, hydrogen, biofuels and shore power
  • 1.3. Onboard applications: propulsion, hotel services, lighting, refrigeration, navigation, communications, pumps and auxiliary equipment
  • 1.4. The relationship between energy consumption, autonomy, weight, available space, operating profile and operational sustainability
  • 1.5. Advantages, limitations and risks of adopting alternative energy on recreational, passenger and service vessels
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Solar, wind and hydro generation applied to vessels

  • 2.1. Rigid, flexible and semi-flexible solar panels, MPPT controllers, positioning, shading, output and maintenance in the marine environment
  • 2.2. Small marine wind turbines, wind resource, noise, vibration, corrosion, mounting and compatibility with onboard operations
  • 2.3. Hydro generators, towed generation, use under sail, performance, added drag and conditions for efficient use
  • 2.4. Integration of renewable sources with battery banks, chargers, inverters, electrical distribution and monitoring systems
  • 2.5. Comparison of solar, wind and hydro generation by route, climate, type of boat, consumption and sailing pattern
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Batteries, electric propulsion, hybrid systems and onboard energy management

  • 3.1. Types of battery: lead-acid, AGM, gel, lithium and LFP, and criteria for capacity, safety, weight, service life and cost
  • 3.2. Electric propulsion, motors, controllers, inverters, chargers, cooling, autonomy and operating limitations
  • 3.3. Diesel-electric hybrid systems, auxiliary generators, smart alternators, shore power and combined operating modes
  • 3.4. Energy management through monitors, BMS, load distribution, consumption priorities and protection against deep discharge
  • 3.5. Basic sizing of generation, storage, daily demand, consumption peaks and passage or anchorage scenarios
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Alternative fuels, hydrogen, biofuels and emerging technologies

  • 4.1. Hydrogen on board, fuel cells, storage, ventilation, safety, autonomy and early applications
  • 4.2. Biofuels, HVO, biodiesel, compatible blends, fuel quality, maintenance and emissions reduction
  • 4.3. Methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels as emerging alternatives in the maritime sector
  • 4.4. Technical challenges: availability, bunkering infrastructure, cost, engine compatibility, regulation and operational safety
  • 4.5. Comparative assessment of alternative fuels and electrification by scale, autonomy, power and type of operation
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Applied project in alternative energy on boats

  • 5.1. Definition of the case: sailing yacht, motorboat, catamaran, small yacht, passenger boat, service vessel or stand-alone auxiliary system
  • 5.2. Diagnosis of consumption, operating profile, available space, existing batteries, charging sources, constraints and energy goals
  • 5.3. Design of the solution with solar, wind or hydro generation, batteries, electric propulsion, shore power or a hybrid system
  • 5.4. Basic sizing with expected generation, demand, storage, autonomy, safety and use scenarios
  • 5.5. Development of the installation and maintenance plan, economic assessment, emissions reduction and continuous improvement
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Alternative Energy on Boats Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Alternative Energy on Boats Course

01Assess the technical and economic viability of integrating alternative energy on a vessel, weighing efficiency, service life, installation and maintenance costs and environmental impact to propose solutions with a sound return.
02Design energy storage and management systems suited to vessels with alternative sources, choosing batteries or other storage according to demand profile, available space, service life and integration with propulsion.
03Understand how hybrid and fully electric propulsion is integrated on board, with energy management, optimized charging and discharging and eco-efficient navigation strategies.
04Develop safety and maintenance routines for alternative energy systems in the marine environment, identifying specific risks such as salt corrosion, vibration and water ingress and adapting procedures to mitigate them.
05Integrate solar, wind and hydro generation into the auxiliary power system of a boat, sizing it and combining it with diesel generators and storage to keep the installation safe and efficient.
06Diagnose the condition of onboard solar, wind and hydro generation components and plan their inspection and upkeep so that they keep working efficiently and safely.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Alternative Energy on Boats Course

01Maintenance technician for alternative energy systems on boatsinspection, repair and upkeep of solar, wind and hybrid installations.
02Designer and installer of onboard renewable systems adapted to the energy needs of different types of vessel
03Energy adviser for the nautical sectorguidance for owners, operators and boatyards on cutting fuel use and emissions.
04Project coordinator for energy upgrades and refits of recreational, passenger and service vessels
05Technical sales specialist in marine solar panels, batteries, electric propulsion and energy management equipment
06Fleet or operations staff responsible for the energy performance of small commercial and charter fleets
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Alternative Energy on Boats Course

Solar photovoltaic, small wind turbines, hydro generators, batteries, electric and diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, shore power, hydrogen and fuel cells, and alternative fuels such as HVO, biodiesel, methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels.

The focus is on recreational, passenger and service vessels such as sailing yachts, motorboats and catamarans, while the module on alternative fuels also explains the options being developed for the wider maritime sector.

Yes. You will practice basic sizing of generation, storage, daily demand and consumption peaks for passage and anchorage scenarios, and apply it in the final project.

Yes. Alongside the technical comparison, you will weigh installation and maintenance costs, service life and expected savings to judge whether an investment makes sense for a given boat and use.

Basic notions of physics and electricity are enough. Familiarity with boats and energy efficiency helps, but the course starts from the fundamentals.

Online, with materials available at any time, discussion forums and tutor support, so you can study at your own pace.

Through exercises in each module and a final applied project in which you diagnose a vessel and design, size and cost an alternative energy solution with its installation and maintenance plan.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: a technical background in engineering, energy, mechanics or a related vocational field, or demonstrable experience in the nautical or energy sector; engineer officers, technicians, owners and fleet managers are welcome.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with webcam and microphone, a broadband connection and a spreadsheet application for the sizing exercises.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $168 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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