Energy Storage System News

A primer on the quickly evolving topic of on board battery technology.Energy storage itself is actually old news. Since the sails were taken down for good, merchant vessels have crossed the oceans using some kind of energy safely stored on board. Be it Coal, Diesel, Gasoline or Natural Gas, and regardless of energy type, safe storage onboard has been vital for safety and completion of the planned trip. On the other hand, active use of batteries in propulsion systems is relatively new.

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).

A new multipurpose 45-meter patrol ship will be used by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Service for a wide range of operations, including firefighting, anti-smuggling and search and rescue missions, but its main use will be in combating pollution threats.The new vessel, Raju, is the largest patrol vessel ever built by Estonia’s Baltic Workboats, and is the first in the firm’s emerging range of battery hybrid patrol ships.From 2021 the Baltic Sea will become an Emission Control Area (ECA)…

Rolls-Royce has been delivering energy storage systems for ships since 2010, but the actual energy storage units were previously supplied by an external party. The company announced today it is launching its own lithium-ion based energy storage system.Energy storage can be a major green investment for a ship owner, with maximized returns when the system is correctly dimensioned for the specific ship, and includes intelligent power control.Rolls-Royce said its new SAVe Energy liquid cooled battery system is cost competitive…

BMT has announced the launch of a striking new hybrid ferry design which could pave the way for a cleaner, more cost-efficient energy option for ferry operators. At 31m, the 149-passenger ‘Eco Ferry’ has a top speed of 20 knots and offers an unrivaled, intelligent hybrid system delivering smooth, silent and vibration-free power. John Bonafoux, Managing Director at BMT explains. “Greener ferry systems have to be   the future and we’re extremely excited to be launching this new hybrid design.

Cress Systems helps container terminals reduce fuel bills, emissions and power peaks with ProwESS energy storage for rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs). New technology allows container ports and terminals to capture, store and reuse energy from container yard handling equipment to reduce fuel cost and emissions and better manage peak electricity demands. Following a successful proof of concept trial at the UK Port of Felixstowe, Cress Systems is pleased to announce the commercial release of its ProwESS energy capture, storage and reuse system for container terminal yard handling equipment.

Vard Holdings Limited said it has secured a new contract for the design and construction of a new stern trawler for HAVFISK AS. The contract value is slightly below NOK 400 million. The vessel will be the world’s first stern trawler with an integrated energy storage system, consisting of diesel mechanical/diesel electric propulsion and batteries. The energy storage system together with VARD’s SeaQ Power Management System for power optimization in all operations, will ensure low emission of carbon dioxide, NOx and noise.

PBES and Virtue Investment Fund today announced the completion of terms and transfer of first tranche of funds for an investment into PBES’ parent company TTB Holdings. In a first investment phase Virtue Investment is initially investing up to $5M USD into the group and is committed to investing further during 2018. This investment will provide PBES energy storage both immediate and on going financial support to help develop global markets and position PBES for initial public offering in 2018. “Virtue Investment Fund is the ideal partner to help PBES grow to the next level and deliver existing business,” said Brent Perry, PBES Chief Executive Officer. “We are very happy to have found the right partner to help us grow.

With 13 new contracts secured in Q4 2017, VARD Holdings Limited's order intake of NOK 3.79 billion in the quarter increased the full year order intake ended December 31, 2017 to NOK 8.28 billion. The new contracts include a luxury polar expedition cruise vessel for a return customer, PONANT. The vessel is the first electric hybrid cruise icebreaker with dual fuel propulsion, featuring high-capacity batteries and LNG storage on board. The vessel is specially designed to take passengers to polar destinations.

As one of the most important megatrends this decade, digitalization is already moving beyond the concept of connectivity and data gathering towards a greater and more integrated future where the entire industry coexists as one digital ecosystem. As this vision becomes a reality, we will see a new era of partnerships, knowledge sharing, and AI-led practices. Disruptive technologies and ground-breaking projects have begun to transform the maritime landscape, and the opportunities…

Kongsberg has received an order to deliver unique ‘Full Picture’ technology upgrades for a further three Platform Supply Vessels (PSV) owned by Mantenimiento Express Marítimo SAPI de CV (“MEXMAR”), Seacor  Marine’s joint venture in Mexico. The contract follows the September 2017 contract for the same ground-breaking upgrade package on the Seacor Maya PSV, which was an important step taken by MEXMAR towards meeting the increasing industry demand to reduce the environmental footprint of offshore operations.

PBES and NORIS Automation GmbH have partnered on the hybrid drive systems for Europe’s first battery hybrid patrol vessel. The 45m long vessel is being built at Baltic Workboats Shipyard in Estonia and will be delivered with 273kWh of PBES Power 65 battery modules. “PBES batteries provide hours of low speed propulsion with reduced sound and heat signature as well as greatly increased efficiency,” said Brent Perry, PBES Chief Executive Officer. “The vessel is first of many that we will be seeing in law enforcement.

Offshore services vessel operator SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. said it has formed a jointly owned company with affiliates of the world’s largest ship owner, COSCO Shipping Group. The Marshall Islands company, SEACOSCO Offshore LLC, entered into contracts for the purchase of eight Rolls-Royce designed new construction platform supply vessels (PSV) from COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. Six of the PSVs are of UT 771WP design (4,400 tons deadweight), and two are of UT 771CD design (3,800 tons deadweight).

Wärtsilä said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a new environmentally friendly tug design for a new port facility being built in the Brazilian city of São Mateus. The MoU, signed with Petrocity, parent company of a new port facility, will see Wärtsilä develop a harbor tug design based on its recently launched Wärtsilä HYTug, which features hybrid propulsion and energy storage using batteries. The prime consideration is to maximize the ecological operational…

The technology group Wärtsilä has agreed to retrofit the world’s first energy storage solution on board a large offshore supply vessel. The North Sea Giant, one of the world’s largest and most advanced subsea construction vessels, will be fitted with an energy storage system that reduces the vessel’s energy consumption, operating costs and exhaust emissions. The retrofit energy storage system improves the operational efficiency and environmental footprint of the North Sea Giant, responding to key requirements of Norwegian North Sea Shipping AS, the owner of the vessel.

Digitization sets the new standard for the entire industry, says Wärtsilä on a November 24 press meeting in London. Wärtsilä has announced an ambitious vision to lead the marine industry into a smart technology future by catalyzing innovative developments leading to high connectivity and optimisation for the entire sector. Wärtsilä sees four significant trends that will reshape the industry: big data analytics and data flow will change the way the industry works, there will be more smart vessels and automated smart ports, and a shared capacity will improve rates and reduce costs.

The smart technology group Wärtsilä is at the forefront of harnessing the changes taking place in the shipping industry to deliver value and optimisation for its customers. By orchestrating these developments through the use of high levels of connectivity and digitalisation, Wärtsilä intends to lead the industry’s transformation towards a Smart Marine Ecosystem. “The world is moving towards a future that is more and more connected, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the shipping sector.

As the maritime world increasingly mulls alternative fuel and propulsion solutions, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News discusses the path ahead for (liquefied natural gas (LNG) with Timo Koponen, VP, Flow & Gas Solutions, Gas and LNG, Wärtsilä. The road toward acceptance of LNG as marine fuel has neither been short nor straight, but anyone who knows this market could not reasonably expect anything different. “Even though it (LNG) is very well proven both from the technology side and its benefit to the environment, nevertheless there are too many people who still doubt,” said Koponen.

Corvus Energy has been selected by Wärtsilä as the supplier of a lithium ion based energy storage system (ESS) for the world’s first full service hybrid fish farm processing and transport vessel. The Orca Energy ESS from Corvus will supply electrical power to the vessel's propulsion system to enable environmentally-friendly and lower cost operations. Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver the ship design and hybrid propulsion system for the vessel to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain, on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

Designer and manufacturer of high power lithium-ion energy storage PBES (Plan B Energy Storage) said it has received DNV GL Type Approval of the PBES energy storage system for use in commercial marine, offshore oil and gas and renewable energy applications.   “PBES celebrates the certification of our systems to this highest standard,” said Brent Perry, PBES Chief Executive Officer. “Global reach and dominant position in classification across multiple markets make DNV GL the most important validation PBES can receive.”   PBES said it expects the type approval to open global marine markets by providing customers with security in knowledge that their vessel will meet class standards.

Wärtsilä said it completed the installation of a hybrid energy system on board offshore supply vessel (OSV) Viking Princess. The Norwegian vessel is now the first ever OSV in which batteries reduce the number of generators aboard the ship. The new energy storage solution will improve engine efficiency, generate fuel savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Viking Princess completed sea trials and the system was handed over to customer Eidesvik Offshore on October 9, 2017.

Corvus Energy has announced that it has been selected by Rolls-Royce as the supplier of a lithium ion based energy storage system (ESS) for the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s new multipurpose vessel OV Ryvingen. The Orca Energy ESS from Corvus will supply electrical power for all-electric propulsion and for electrical needs while docked. The OV Ryvingen is the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s second vessel to combine traditional diesel power with battery-driven operation and the fourth vessel in the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s fleet renewal program…

Corvus Energy said it has received Type Approval by DNV-GL for its Orca Energy energy storage system (ESS) for use in battery-powered or hybrid vessels and off-shore units.   DNV-GL approval confirms that the latest generation of ESS from Corvus Energy has been found in compliance with international standards, regulations and recognized DNV-GL rules.   The Orca Energy ESS was awarded Type Approval Certificate No. TAE000026N, which is valid to August 2022. Products approved by this certificate are accepted for installation on all vessels classed by DNV-GL.   Corvus said it has more than 90 installations utilizing a Corvus ESS, now totaling over 50MWh and 1.5 million operating hours.