Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems
This master's prepares you to lead the energy transition in the maritime industry. You will study the design, operation and maintenance of electric and hybrid propulsion, marine batteries and other energy storage, generating plants, AC and DC power distribution, energy and power management systems, fuel cells and alternative fuels, renewable energy on board, safety, classification and maintenance, so that you can develop solutions that cut emissions and fuel consumption and lead newbuild, conversion and retrofit projects toward hybrid and electric ships.
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What is the Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems?
This master's covers the full electrical and energy chain of a modern ship. You will study diesel-electric and hybrid architectures, marine electrical machines, power electronics and power quality; Li-ion, LFP and NMC chemistries, battery management systems, battery sizing by operational profile, thermal runaway prevention, supercapacitors and flywheels; series and parallel hybrid configurations, battery-only, boost and peak shaving modes, PTO/PTI shaft machines, azimuth thrusters and electric pods; variable-speed and dual-fuel generator sets, LNG, exhaust gas treatment and load sharing; AC versus DC grids, switchboards, protection and selectivity, VFDs, harmonics, UPS, shore power and arc flash; PMS and EMS logic, model predictive control and digital twins; fuel cells, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and the IGF Code; and solar, Flettner rotors, rigid sails, kites, air lubrication and waste heat recovery.
What sets this master's apart: it treats the ship as an integrated power system, so you learn to size, protect, control and certify the whole plant rather than isolated components, always linked to IMO decarbonization targets such as EEXI and CII and to class society rules from DNV, Lloyd's Register and ABS; it closes the technical modules with a conceptual design project in which you define the operational profile, size the power plant, estimate CAPEX and OPEX, run a life cycle assessment, draw single-line diagrams and write shipyard specifications; and it ends with a Final Project on the design and optimization of an energy system for sustainable shipping.
Program highlights
- Electric and hybrid propulsion: diesel-electric, series and parallel hybrids, PTO/PTI, pods and energy regeneration.
- Marine batteries and energy storage: chemistries, BMS, sizing, thermal runaway safety, supercapacitors and flywheels.
- Power distribution: AC and DC grids, switchboards, protection, VFDs, harmonics, shore power and arc flash.
- Energy and power management systems, model predictive control, OT cybersecurity and digital twins.
- Fuel cells, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and the IGF Code, plus onboard renewables and waste heat recovery.
- Class rules, high-voltage maintenance, a conceptual design project and a Final Project on a sustainable ship energy system.
Syllabus of the Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of marine electric propulsion
- 1.1. History and evolution of electric propulsion
- 1.2. Operational and environmental advantages
- 1.3. Basic architectures: diesel-electric versus hybrid
- 1.4. Fundamentals of electrical machines in the marine environment
- 1.5. Power electronics applied to ships
- 1.6. Power quality concepts on board
- 1.7. Mass and weight balance in electrical systems
- 1.8. Performance and efficiency of the propulsion chain
- 1.9. IMO regulations and decarbonization targets (EEXI and CII)
- 1.10. Introduction to smart shipping
Energy storage and batteries (ESS)
- 2.1. Cell chemistry: lithium-ion, LFP, NMC and new technologies
- 2.2. Battery management systems (BMS)
- 2.3. Sizing battery banks according to the operational profile
- 2.4. Charge and discharge cycles and thermal management
- 2.5. Safety and fire prevention: thermal runaway
- 2.6. Physical integration on the ship: battery rooms
- 2.7. Life cycle and recycling of marine batteries
- 2.8. Supercapacitors for demand peaks
- 2.9. Flywheel energy storage systems
- 2.10. Certification testing and factory acceptance tests (FAT)
Hybrid propulsion systems
- 3.1. Series and parallel configurations
- 3.2. Operating modes: battery-only, boost and peak shaving
- 3.3. Clutches and gearboxes for hybrid systems
- 3.4. Shaft motor-generators (PTO/PTI)
- 3.5. Optimizing the load point of the combustion engine
- 3.6. Azimuth propulsion and electric pods
- 3.7. Hydrodynamics applied to electric propulsion
- 3.8. Propeller pitch control in hybrid systems
- 3.9. Energy regeneration during maneuvering
- 3.10. Case studies: ferries and offshore support vessels (OSV)
Generating plants and combustion engines
- 4.1. Variable-speed engines for power generation
- 4.2. Dual-fuel engines and their integration into hybrid grids
- 4.3. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transition fuel
- 4.4. Microturbines and their role in onboard generation
- 4.5. Exhaust gas treatment systems (scrubbers and SCR)
- 4.6. Real-time emissions monitoring
- 4.7. Lubrication and cooling in high-efficiency plants
- 4.8. Vibration and acoustic insulation of generator sets
- 4.9. Predictive maintenance of combustion engines
- 4.10. Synchronization and load sharing
Power distribution networks (switchboards)
- 5.1. Alternating current (AC) versus direct current (DC) distribution
- 5.2. Advantages of the DC grid on modern ships
- 5.3. Main and secondary distribution switchboards
- 5.4. Electrical protection and selectivity
- 5.5. Frequency converters and variable frequency drives (VFD)
- 5.6. Marine transformers: dry-type versus oil-immersed
- 5.7. Harmonic management and active filters
- 5.8. Critical uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems
- 5.9. Shore connection (cold ironing)
- 5.10. Arc flash: safety and risk mitigation
Control and energy management systems (EMS and PMS)
- 6.1. Power management systems (PMS): logic and functions
- 6.2. Energy management systems (EMS): optimizing energy flows
- 6.3. Communication protocols: Modbus, Profibus and EtherNet/IP
- 6.4. Sensors and actuators in the marine environment
- 6.5. Human-machine interfaces (HMI) and SCADA
- 6.6. Optimization algorithms for fuel savings
- 6.7. Model predictive control (MPC)
- 6.8. Cybersecurity of industrial control systems
- 6.9. Engine room automation (unattended machinery space class)
- 6.10. Digital twins for fleet simulation
Alternative fuels and fuel cells
- 7.1. Fundamentals of fuel cell technology
- 7.2. Hydrogen as a marine energy carrier
- 7.3. Ammonia and methanol: storage and safety challenges
- 7.4. Onboard fuel reformers
- 7.5. Integrating fuel cells into the electrical grid
- 7.6. Managing waste heat from fuel cells
- 7.7. Bunkering infrastructure for new fuels
- 7.8. Chemical hazards and toxicity of green fuels
- 7.9. The IGF Code for ships using low-flashpoint fuels
- 7.10. Pilot projects and the state of the art
Renewable energy integrated on ships
- 8.1. Solar photovoltaics on decks and structures
- 8.2. Auxiliary wind power: Flettner rotors and rigid sails
- 8.3. Traction kites for navigation assistance
- 8.4. Integrating renewables into the ship's microgrid
- 8.5. Weather forecasting applied to energy efficiency
- 8.6. Storage of renewable surpluses
- 8.7. Impact on ship stability (weight study)
- 8.8. Air lubrication systems
- 8.9. Waste heat recovery (ORC)
- 8.10. Return on investment (ROI) analysis of green technologies
Safety, classification and maintenance
- 9.1. Classification societies (DNV, Lloyd's Register and ABS) and their rules
- 9.2. Functional safety analysis (SIL, HAZID and HAZOP)
- 9.3. Inspection and maintenance of high-voltage systems
- 9.4. Risk management in battery operations
- 9.5. Crew training: STCW and new competencies
- 9.6. Emergency procedures and blackout protocols
- 9.7. AI-based fault diagnosis
- 9.8. Spare parts logistics for electronic components
- 9.9. Sea trials for electrical systems
- 9.10. Life cycle management plan for electrical equipment
Conceptual design of hybrid and electric ship systems
- 10.1. Design methodology for an electric or hybrid ship
- 10.2. Analysis of the operational profile
- 10.3. Preliminary sizing of the power plant
- 10.4. Cost estimation (CAPEX and OPEX)
- 10.5. Environmental impact assessment (life cycle assessment, LCA)
- 10.6. Preparation of electrical drawings and single-line diagrams
- 10.7. Simulation of load transients
- 10.8. Writing technical specifications for shipyards
- 10.9. International regulatory compliance strategy
- 10.10. Defense of the design project before an expert panel
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the topic and defining the problem
- 11.2. Setting objectives, hypotheses and scope
- 11.3. Review of the state of the art and specialized literature
- 11.4. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- 11.5. Designing the methodology and work plan
- 11.6. Collection, processing and validation of data
- 11.7. Technical development and analysis of results
- 11.8. Discussion, conclusions and future lines of work
- 11.9. Writing the final report
- 11.10. Presentation and defense before an evaluation panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
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 FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems
Career opportunities after the Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems
Questions about the Master's in Hybrid and Electric Ship Systems
On hybrid and electric ship systems. Combustion engines and generator sets are covered as part of hybrid plants, together with batteries, power distribution, energy management and alternative energy sources.
Any vessel where electrification makes sense, with special attention to ferries and offshore support vessels as case studies, and examples from other ship types in the design and conversion modules.
Yes. A full module covers cell chemistries, BMS, sizing, thermal management, thermal runaway and fire prevention, battery rooms, certification testing, recycling, supercapacitors and flywheels.
Yes. It covers fuel cells, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, onboard reformers, bunkering infrastructure, chemical hazards and the IGF Code for low-flashpoint fuels.
The program teaches the technical content of high-voltage inspection, maintenance and safety, but it does not replace the STCW training or company authorizations required to work on high-voltage equipment. Those are issued by the competent authorities and organizations.
This is a master's level program with broader and deeper scope: it covers the whole ship energy system, from storage and distribution to control, fuels, renewables and class rules, and it includes a conceptual design project and a Final Project.
Through technical exercises, simulations, case studies and short tests in each module, a conceptual design project for a hybrid or electric ship, and a Final Project.
A Navalis Institute master's certificate and a technical portfolio with your design calculations, single-line diagrams, specifications and project work.
More programs in Machinery and electrics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: degree in electrical, mechanical or naval engineering or another related STEM field, or demonstrable experience in the design, operation or maintenance of electrical or mechanical systems; fundamentals of electricity, electronics, mechanics, control and system modeling are recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: computer with camera and microphone, a high-speed internet connection and the ability to run simulation and design software.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
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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Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.