Power Applications News

TECO 2030 has launched what it claims to be the world’s most power dense marine and heavy-duty fuel cell module, the FCM400.The FCM400 has already an Approval in Principle from DNV and currently undergoes type approval process for maritime and heavy-duty applications. FCM400 is inherently gas-safe to accommodate easy integration onboard a ship for zero emission energy generation.TECO 2030 says the modular 400kW fuel cell system includes industry leading energy efficiency, inherent safety concept, leading dimensions and component design and rapid dynamic load response.

Rarely does a vessel come along with the potential to radically change the way an industry operates, but one such vessel is set to hit the water in 2023.This new vessel, a towboat named Hydrogen One, is being developed by Louisiana-based Maritime Partners, the largest lessor of marine equipment in the U.S. It will be the first of its kind globally to run on emissions-reducing methanol-to-hydrogen generator technology—no diesel propulsion on board—as the maritime industry continues…

Michell Bearings has announced the opening of a U.S sales and engineering office in Fort Washington, Philadelphia.The office opening follows the incorporation of the U.S business, Michell Bearings Inc., in 2021 to better support customers in North America, especially those in the U.S. naval industry.Key contacts in the Fort Washington office are Joseph Wilkes, VP Engineering Americas, and Jamie Wright, Sales Director Americas—both with many years of experience in the field of hydrodynamic bearings and long established relationships with customers in the U.S.

Cummins Inc. announced the European launch of its new B4.5 marine generator set and propulsion engine, expanding the hybrid compatible packages beyond the current QSB6.7 and QSL9. The pairing was debut in late 2021 at the Pacific Marine Expo, a commercial fishing event in Washington U.S, with an anticipated mid-to-late 2022 production release.Available separately or as a hybrid package, the B4.5 engine and genset are two of Cummins’ smallest, but mightiest marine offerings. Based on the proven industrial engine…

Tanker owner and operator Ardmore Shipping Corporation said it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Element 1 Corp. (E1) and Maritime Partners, LLC (MP) to establish a joint venture for delivering E1's methanol-to-hydrogen technology to the marine sector.Ardmore, E1 and MP will establish "e1 Marine," each owning 33.3% of the joint venture. e1 Marine will have a worldwide mandate for the marketing, development, licensing and sale of E1's unique hydrogen generation systems for application to the marine industry, including shipping, refrigerated containers, offshore energy, renewable energy, passenger and leisure, and certain port infrastructure…

Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has ordered the first commercial unit of a new Corvus Energy high-density lithium-ion capacitor energy storage system (ESS) Blue Marlin.According to Corvus, which plans to market the system to the offshore energy market, the Blue Marlin uses lithium-ion capacitor (LiC) cells that sustain very high charge/discharge rates of 550 C peak and 200 C continuous, enabling both energy recapture and fast discharge for high-power load handling. It can deliver beyond a million cycles with minimal capacity loss…

MAN Energy Solutions has announced that VTA (Variable Turbine Area) is now standard on TCA turbochargers for its MAN 51/60 engine type, marking the first time that VTA technology has been approved as standard for a large-bore MAN four-stroke engine. MAN is the only turbocharger manufacturer to offer axial turbochargers with VTA as standard for any large-bore, four-stroke engines.MAN Energy Solutions reports that it already has more than 380 references of turbochargers sold with VTA technology…

A maritime consortium, including ABS and Sandia National Laboratories, recently proved the viability of a hydrogen fuel cell ferry designed for operations in the environmentally sensitive San Francisco Bay area. The IMO’s mandate to cap the sulfur content in marine fuel at the start of next year may be the biggest regulatory change in shipping since the requirement for double hulls, but the challenge will fade in comparison to its future goals to reduce green-house gases (GHG).A year ago (April 2018)…

MAN Energy Solutions has unveiled its new TCT axial turbocharger series specifically optimised for Tier III operation, suitable for both conventional and dual-fuelled, two- and four-stroke engines.The TCT series has been introduced to accompany and – eventually – replace the TCA generation whose design has been continuously updated since its introduction but is now some 15 years old. The event took place at the premises of the local MAN PrimeServ Academy.With TCT turbochargers, MAN Energy Solutions can significantly reduce turbocharger dimensions to meet current market requirements. The company reports that a key focus during the design phase was a reduction in manufacturing and operating costs while maintaining compliance with thermodynamic requirements.Ralph Klaunig…

The coming year is expected to make the U.S. the third largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world, creating jobs stateside while reducing emissions and providing reliable energy to countries around the world, said American Petroleum Institute (API).API, Center for LNG, and LNG Allies, the three national trade associations specializing in U.S. LNG, today issued a first-of-its-kind joint statement on the extraordinary developments expected in U.S. LNG in 2019.Todd Snitchler, Vice President of Market Development at the American Petroleum Institute, said: “The dramatic expansion of U.S. LNG exports since 2016 continues to deliver tremendous benefits across America and around the world.

Marine propulsion manufacturers are not just responding to but are anticipating tighter performance demands from the U.S. EPA  and the IMO by introducing both new and upgraded systems based on state-of-the-art propulsion technologies. Tom Mulligan reviews the latest engine product launches.AIP for MAN cryo Liquid Hydrogen Fuel-Gas systemMAN Cryo, a subsidiary of MAN Energy Solutions, has developed a marine fuel-gas system for liquefied hydrogen in cooperation with Fjord1 and Multi Maritime 0f Norway.

Japanese technology company Eco Marine Power (EMP) has joined forces with Singapore shipping company Masterbulk for the world-first Installation of class-approved UltraBattery (UB) onboard ship.A joint press release announced that the UB battery pack manufactured by the Furukawa Battery Company (Furukawa Battery) has been installed on the large general cargo ship – MV Panamana.This battery pack will later form part of an Aquarius Marine Solar Power solution developed by EMP and be evaluated jointly with Masterbulk and ZEABORN Ship Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.The battery pack installed on the ship incorporates class-approved UB-50-12 Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries along with an easy to install marine-grade battery frame kit.

Wärtsilä’s hybrid power module, the Wärtsilä HY, has been granted Approval in Principle (AIP) by ABS. This AIP follows another issued by ABS in 2017 for Wärtsilä’s hybrid propulsion tug designs.Wärtsilä said it leveraged its strengths in both engine design and electrical and automation (E&A) systems do develop the fully integrated hybrid power module combining engines, an energy storage system and power electronics optimized to work together through a newly developed energy management system (EMS).

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Bergen B36:45 model, its latest in a series of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled marine engines, at the SMM maritime exhibition in Hamburg.Power output of the LNG-fueled B36:45 engine is identical to that of the liquid-fueled B33:45 at 600kW per cylinder at 750 rpm. Specific energy consumption is a low 7300kj/kWh mechanical ISO including two engine driven pumps; specific lubricating oil consumption is less than 0.4g/kWh.The B36:45 is available in six, eight and nine-cylinder in-line configurations.

In cooperation with its strategic partners Furukawa Battery and Teramoto Iron Works, Eco Marine Power (EMP) has announced the release of two UB-50-12 hybrid battery packs for ship, offshore and land-based renewable energy projects. These safe, reliable and recyclable battery packs will be available in 2.4kWh and 3.6kWh configurations. Multiple battery packs can be installed together to provide the amount of energy storage needed from small scale installations to larger energy storage projects.

The NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) 2000 standards helped create a framework for safer, more reliable marine communications by streamlining the connectivity of boat engines, navigation, control, power distribution, water, waste and other mechanical and monitoring systems. Onboard connectivity translates into improved operator safety, better diagnostics, simplified maintenance and lower lifetime costs. Manufacturers recognize the value of electronics to distinguish their brand—and satisfy customers seeking connectivity at sea.

Having signed an agreement to expand their cooperation in lifecycle service offerings, ABB has granted Wärtsilä the Authorized Service Provider status for standard maintenance of ABB turbochargers installed with Wärtsilä four-stroke engines. The companies say customers will benefit from enhanced engine performance optimization over the lifecycle as a result. Furthermore, continuous development of turbocharger upgrade packages and future digital offerings will lead to improvements in fuel efficiency…

ABB Turbocharging will launch in mid-2017 a new frame size for its two-stage turbocharging solution, Power2 800-M, extending the benefits of high pressure ratios, increased turbocharging efficiency and fuel savings to a wider scope of medium-speed engine configurations, the manufacturer said. The new frame size, Power2 845-M, applicable to an increased range of ship propulsion solutions, will open up the efficiency and operational benefits to a greater spectrum of vessel types, said ABB Turbocharging.

Eco Marine Power (EMP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Singapore based shipping company to supply its Aquarius Management and Automation (MAS) + Solar solution. The solution will also include hardware and software that will allow ships to monitor fuel oil consumption in real time, automatically calculate NOx/SOx/CO2 emissions and interface with marine solar power systems. Initially one ship in the fleet will be installed with the Aquarius MAS + Solar solution and its performance jointly evaluated.

Foreship has appointed Jan-Erik Räsänen as its Head of New Technology effective from March 1, 2017. The new role expands Foreship’s energy-saving consulting services at a time when the cruise industry is considering the best way of harnessing fast-emerging hybrid, battery and fuel cell technologies. Based in Helsinki, Mr Räsänen will focus on helping owners implement energy-saving measures already developed by Foreship. He will also offer expertise on the application of digitalization…

ECOCHARGE principle drives improved engine performance through two-stage turbocharging. MAN Diesel & Turbo has delivered its 1,000th turbocharger to two-stage turbocharged applications, the company announced. MAN has a long history in two-stage turbocharging and first evaluated the technology back in the 1970s. In late-2000, MAN focused on the technology to improve its four-stroke portfolio, resulting in the development of MAN ECOCHARGE, a combination of low- and high-pressure stages with intercooling that significantly improves engine performance.

The Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion event was held in the Grand Harbour conference venue looking out over the Port of Southampton where cruise ships, oil tankers and the world's largest container vessels ply their global trade. The event brought together a broad and unique marine industry group from the UK, EU and US. A dynamic program, including three keynote speakers and 20 presenters, highlighted the latest technology and opportunities for the maritime sector worldwide – and the future for next generation marine power certainly looks bright.

XALT Energy’s newest scalable marine power offering for marine power needs, the XPAND Modular Pack Architecture, will be showcased at the 2016 Electric & Hybrid World Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. According to XALT Energy, the system’s design provides workboat operators with an energy storage solution for rapid systems integration in marine power applications. “The XPAND state‐of‐the‐art Lithium‐ion energy storage system is designed to enhance the fuel efficiency and maneuverability of marine vessels,” said John Warner, vice president sales and marketing of XALT Energy. “Building upon our more than 20MWh’s of batteries in marine service…