ALL AMERICAN MARINE is constructing a new hybrid
electric passenger vessel. The future is electric!
Electric hybrid propulsion
is quickly gaining momentum in the passenger shipping industry, especially with
the announcement of HURTIGRUTEN’s world-first hybrid electric cruise ships, followed by other expedition cruise operators,
who do not want staying behind, being "filthy".
by Earl of Cruise
The impact of diesel and marine oil polution on human
health is without doubt, as it is the same for the global climate. Especially
in sensitive areas, as the Artic regions. But sometimes is the media a bit too
populistic with their articles and beat "only" on cruise vessels,
whereas the freighters are not recognized.
I am aware of the air polution problem and have a
great interest in green technology.
ROALD AMUNDSEN and FIDTJOF NANSEN of HURTIGRUTEN - courtsey HURTIGRUTEN
Electric
propulsion is one of the buzzwords in passenger shipping right now. Indeed, HURTIGRUTEN chief executive Daniel Skjeldam emphasised the importance of electric
propulsion, especially for expedition cruising, especially in the Arctic, at
the recent Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, USA.
He "bluntly" told delegates at a panel discussion
on expedition cruising: “The future is electric.”
HURTIGRUTEN is building
two hybrid battery expedition cruise ships at KLEVEN VERFT in Norway.
ROLLS-ROYCE is providing new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology
for them.
ROLLS-ROYCE designed ROALD AMUNDSEN and FRIDTJOF NANSEN will incorporate, in addition to the hybrid power solution, the latest automation and control systems including the ROLLS-ROYCE Unified Bridge, the first delivery of two Azipull propellers using permanent
magnet technology, two large tunnel thrusters, stabilisers, four Bergen
B33:45 engines, winches, and power electric systems.
Mr Skjeldam said: “We think we will take the
technology and the industry forward. They will be the most technologically
advanced ships that are out there. The expedition industry needs to develop
away from using 50-60 year old ships and find new technology that really
reduces emissions. That is one of the most important things, when we sail in
the most sensitive areas in the world. They are the most innovative and
sustainable ships out there, taking what has been learned from battery ferries
in Scandinavia and putting it into these vessels.”
He said that they were putting aside extra space in
the world-first hybrid expedition cruise ships in order to be able to install
even more battery packs, as the technology becomes more available. Mr Skjeldam
said: “This technology is going forward very fast.”
Another hybrid battery passenger vessel contract has
been confirmed as US shipyard ALL AMERICAN MARINE (AAM) recently
inked a deal for the construction of a new hybrid electric passenger vessel to
be delivered to RED AND WHITE FLEET of San Francisco. The contract for the new 600-passenger aluminium monohull was
signed at the Passenger Vessel Association’s annual convention at MariTrends. RED
AND WHITE FLEET will receive its new craft in late spring 2018.
The new vessel, to be christened ENHYDRA, will be the first aluminium
hulled, lithium-ion battery-electric hybrid vessel built from the keel up under
United States Coast Guard subchapter-K passenger vessel regulations and the
latest guidelines for structural fire protection, AAM said in a statement.
AAM partnered with BAE Systems to design and integrate
the complete battery-electric hybrid system. BAE Systems will supply
its HybriDrive propulsion system that includes a generator, a control system,
and an AC electric traction motor. The generator will mount to a variable speed
Cummins QSL9 diesel engine delivering 410 mhp at 2,100 rpm. The motor generator offers
diesel-electric operation of the AC traction motor which is coupled directly to
the propulsion shaft. AAM said "With this configuration, torque is
immediately available for the propeller and the speed can be controlled
precisely without the need for a reduction gear."
The hybrid system will also use battery power from two
80 kWh lithium-ion battery packs. The batteries will come from Corvus Energy and are
supplied under their next generation Orca ESS energy storage system line. The BAE HybridDrive system can automatically use full electric battery operation at slower speeds
and when manoeuvring in and out of the harbour. At higher speeds, the generator
will automatically engage and augment the additional power demands of the
traction motor.
RED AND WHITE FLEET’s vice president of operations Joe
Burgard, said: “We see the propulsion configuration on ENHYDRA as phase one in our move toward the full electrification
of our fleet. Stay tuned for phase two.”
Propulsion Control System, Quadro Drive - courtsey NAUTICEXPO
Meanwhile, FJORD1 has struck a contract with Norwegian Electric Systems for hybrid-electric
systems for three new ferries being built by HAVYARD SHIP TECHNOLOGY.
NES Framedside - courtsey HAVYARD SHIP TECHNOLOGY
Two of the ferries will operate the route between
Brekstad and Valset and one ferry between Sandvikvåg and Husavik. The Norwegian Public Road Administration’s strict emissions requirements for these two ferry routes have resulted in an
electrical propulsion system using chargeable lithium-ion batteries (lithium). The ferries
are being designed by Multi Maritime.
Norwegian Electric Systems’ DC system
ensures the safe charging and discharging of the batteries. It includes the
Odin’s Eye solution, which Norwegian Electric Systems says is “an ultra-fast acting safety
solution which is incredibly flexible, too. It provides for future upgrades of
the vessels, such as larger battery capacity or higher charging power from
shore.”
“We have had good and close contact with Fjord1,
Havyard and Multi Maritime during this preliminary process,” said Norwegian
Electric Systems vice president for sales Stein Ruben Larsen.
Norwegian Electric Systems will deliver a complete
integrated DC grid system consisting of:
- the Quest Energy Storage System (batteries)
- DC switchboards
- generators
- transformers
- switchboards, 230 VAC
- quadro drive low loss DC/AC and AC/DC
- Odins Eye, EMS and IAS
- project management
- calculations and engineering
- commissioning and sea trials
Stephen Carey Except that four Bergen B33:45 engines does not make it an electric ship. Had the same stuff years ago when the Navy was promoting its "all electric ship" to which I replied "You mean diesel/electric?". Well, they've got that ship now and it's the Type 45 destroyer which, whenever they have a problem with the propulsion train, the whole ship blacks out.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for saving energy and being green, but I fail to see how batteries - which are not as efficient as a diesel engine - can be said to be greener as they require more energy to charge them up, provided by a diesel engine or other fossil fueled prime mover, or the national grid which is itself driven by fossil fuels. There is no way you can get a battery powered ship any other way. Same with the Tesla car (I'd love one of those) - it still needs charging up by using a source that is provided by fossil fuels. Until someone provides a hydrogen car or fuel cell, then it's not going to happen, and even then the hydrogen and the fuel cell will require manufacture by current means..