Corvus Energy Lithium-Ion Battery for BRAtt

Corvus Energy, harnessing the power of large format lithium-ion battery systems for marine propulsion, will spotlight its proprietary technology at the International Tug & Salvage (ITS 2010) Conference May 17-21 at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. The conference marks the world debut of the BRAtt class training tugs, the first of which will feature Richmond, B.C.-based Corvus Energy’s battery and management system utilized as the house power bank. This direct diesel-powered version, will be available for demonstration to ITS registrants. This will be followed up by delivery of an all-electric BRAtt and a hybrid diesel-electric BRAtt, using Corvus Energy technologies, to the Western Maritime Institute in 2011.

“The BRAtt tugs will provide an important platform to introduce our powerful, maintenance-free lithium-ion battery technology as a viable alternative to conventional propulsion systems,” said Corvus Energy CEO Brent Perry. “Fuel savings and decreased maintenance in a hybrid can provide ROI in only a few years, with a huge benefit to the environment in the form of decreased emissions.”

The BRAtt training tugs are the joint brainchild of Ron Burchett and Vancouver-based Naval Architects Robert Allan Ltd., a collaboration that recognized the global need for cost-effective Z-drive training vessels.  The 25.6 ft long, 450 horsepower BRAtt features most of the same technology and operating systems as found in full-size Z-drive tugs.  It is also designed to be an affordable alternative to full-sized tugs for harbour duties, including boom deployment, yarding and line-handling.

To date, the marine industry has been unable to take full advantage of hybrid or full electric propulsion technology due to the large size and weight of traditional lead-acid batteries. Corvus Energy’s lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter and more powerful—and the battery chemistry and proprietary battery management system allows these batteries to last up to 10 times longer than lead-acid batteries.

Corvus Energy’s combined battery technologies provide superior power in a standard Group 8D format. The battery module can be integrated into existing applications or can be configured to meet power storage requirements from 6.2kWh into the tens of thousands of kWh.

www.corvus-energy.com