Stored Energy News

An ABB study based on three years of operational ship data mounts a case for integrating battery power onboard modern icebreakers, writes Samuli Hänninen, who specializes in icebreaking vessels at ABB Marine & Ports. The maritime industry is still at the formative stage of realizing the gains available from batteries, but the ability to scale up to megawatt-hour levels is not the only attraction for the zero-emission technology. Evidence newly disclosed by ABB suggests that the…

Vitol’s Singaporean bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, has announced the imminent delivery of what will be Singapore’s first electric-hybrid bunker tanker.The vessel, Marine charge, features lithium-ion batteries and an automated Power Management System expected to achieve an estimated 10% reduction in GHG emissions.The design configuration enables the auxiliary engines to operate at the most optimal specific fuel oil consumption, while the energy storage system (ESS) performs peak shaving during low power consumption periods for usage of stored energy during high consumption periods.

Batteries for maritime power have been picking up big momentum, benefiting from the most basic concept within Econ 101: supply and demand.On May 19 Corvus Energy announced it would establish a lithium ion battery manufacturing facility in Port Bellingham, Wash., just north of Seattle. Corvus Energy is a leading supplier of battery energy storage systems (BESS) for marine applications. Its systems already power more than 30 North American vessels, as well as 29 hybrid port cranes and 11 land-based drilling rigs.Geir Bjørkeli…

Emissions reductions have been confirmed for the first laker to feature a diesel-electric drive train, after the initial weeks in service of Canada Steamship Lines’ new self-unloader Nukumi. The vessel arrived in Halifax in time to take up duties for the 2022 Great Lakes season complete with patented Direct Drive Electric technology from Berg Propulsion.Built by China’s Chengxi Shipyard, the delivery also marks a bulk carrier market debut for Direct Drive Electric - an integrated solution developed by Berg to make high efficiency electric propulsion easier to adopt.The 26…

As the maritime industry increasingly moves towards propulsion solutions that help cut emissions, battery technology is increasingly taking center stage on a number of ship, boat and offshore energy installations. Leading the charge are a number of battery manufacturers globally, including Norway’s Corvus Energy, which announced that the company is expanding its US operations by opening a new factory in the Port of Bellingham, Washington.The U.S.-based manufacturing facility, starting with Corvus’ Orca battery…

Corvus Energy, supplier of battery energy storage systems (BESS) for marine applications, announced plans to open a new factory in the state of Washington to help meet demand for marine BESS in the Americas as the marine industry accelerates its adoption of decarbonization technology to meet global emissions reduction targets.The manufacturing facility—located just north of Seattle in the Port of Bellingham—will have an annual capacity of 200 MWh of stored energy capacity as forecasts…

Physical activity to construct America's first Jones Act-qualified wind farm service operations vessel (SOV) has kicked off on the U.S. Gulf Coast.The vessel, Eco Edison, is being built at Edison Chouest Offshore shipyards in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida for planned delivery in 2024. Once complete, the vessel will immediately provide operational support out of Port Jefferson, New York for Ørsted and Eversource’s joint venture offshore wind portfolio, which includes South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind.

The future could be bright for small island nations. Cheap sustainable energy is the core component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Engineers like making things, but rarely think of the social impact that flows from their creations. Today, while we are standing at the threshold of sustainable energy, we should take a moment to reflect on the social impact of sustainable energy. Access to sustainable energy puts us at the threshold of massive social change and…

One can hardly read industry news these days without seeing mention of hybrid vessels or batteries. We’ve all heard the praise and the pitfalls discussed by proponents and critics alike. This article is not intended to convince you if batteries are right for you or not. Instead, for owners wondering if batteries are feasible for their operation, the optimal vessel characteristics and operational parameters for all-electric vessels are presented and discussed.Hybrid vessels, generally defined by having both a diesel engine and batteries…

ABB will provide a hybrid power and propulsion solution with integral energy storage for the under-construction Færøysund live fish carrier.This will be the first live fish carrier to feature ABB hybrid power and propulsion solution with integral energy storage.The 77m-long diesel-electric vessel is being built at the Aas Mek. Verksted AS shipyard in Vestnes, Norway, for Nova Sea Service AS, one of Norway’s largest producers of Atlantic farmed salmon. Due delivery in September 2021, Færøysund is Aas Mek.

Ferries have pioneered zero-emission technology deployment for good reason. Short routes and regular port visits provide opportunities for shipboard stored energy technology, and it is the commercial case that is turning the tide towards zero emissions where the ferry market is concerned. Supported by shoreside charging infrastructure, a fully charged battery pack can be used to propel a ship along a predictable route at relatively low operating cost and little wear and tear,…

Wave-generated power could be considered the Rodney Dangerfield of offshore renewable energy sources; it gets no respect. There have been a number of high-profile, expensive failures that have conspired to give the sector a poor reputation despite a number of engineering advances. A new entrant is SurfWEC offering a patented “surf-making” Wave Energy Converter which has been in development since 2007. Its developers promise it will stand out from the field and perform where others have failed. How?

Corvus Energy, the manufacturer of energy storage solutions for marine industry, has won an order from CCCC Shanghai Equipment Engineering (CCCCSEE) covering the supply of energy storage systems for battery-hybrid RTG (rubber-tired gantry) cranes.The order is for various retrofit and newbuild deliveries by CCCCSEE affiliate ZPMC in Chinese ports, said a press release from the Canada-based provider of purpose-engineered energy storage solutions for marine, oil & gas and port applicationsCorvus Energy, with primary operations in Vancouver and Bergen (Norway) has previously supplied Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for 48 RTG cranes through CCCCSEE. This is the first order booked by the Corvus Energy Asia office located in Singapore.The benefits of hybrid powered port cranes are substantial.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has published its report on the February 2017 accident in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, on board the passenger cruise ship Emerald Princess, in which a nitrogen cylinder burst, causing one fatality.The Chief Investigator of Accidents, Captain Tim Burfoot, says the ship’s crew were re-pressurising the gas cylinders after maintenance, when the cylinder burst and fatally injured a nearby crew member.The cylinder was part of a stored energy system providing an alternative means of launching lifeboats in the event of power failure. Such systems are common on cruise ships.“The nitrogen cylinder burst at below normal working pressure because its casing had corroded to about 30% of original thickness,” said Capt.

Norwegian Sintef Ocean and ABB Marine will use two 30kW hydrogen fuel cells, set up in laboratory to model the operation and control of a complete marine power system in a megawatt-scale propulsion plant."ABB and Sintef Ocean are undertaking groundbreaking research to test the viability of fuel cells as an energy source for main ship propulsion. The new research project seeks to provide the answers required for fuel cell technology to be delivered at the scale needed to power commercial and passenger ships," said a press release.The testing methodology, to be developed at Sintef Ocean’s Trondheim-based laboratory, will use two 30kW fuel cells…

A new 80-meter superyacht, built at the Nobiskrug shipyard in Germany, will feature a wide scope of ABB’s technologies that will enhance its environmental performance and help the vessel comply with the International Maritime Organization’s new Tier III regulations. The new regulation comes into force for all superyachts from 2021 onwards and requires nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to be 70 percent lower than those permitted under current limits.Due delivery in 2019, the superyacht…

ABB technology allowing integration of batteries receives major vote of confidence as Louis Dreyfus Armateurs orders second wind farm service vessel featuring a wide scope of ABB’s solutions.Maritime transportation group Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) will add a second 83 meter windfarm service operation vessel (SOV) to its fleet, featuring an extensive range of ABB’s technology, with the award-winning power distribution system Onboard DC Grid at its core. The vessel will support operations at Hornsea Project Two off the UK coast…

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. The first version of the system has been designed for rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), the global workhorse of yard operations, with a second version under development for straddle carriers.

The Norwegian Port of Drammen opted for a new Liebherr mobile harbor crane, type LHM 550, which has started operation in June 2014. This investment in the future represents the second mobile harbor crane for the port, which has been operating an LHM 400 since 2008. Thanks to this new investment, Port of Drammen has doubled its container handling capacity. Additionally, the versatile LHM 550 is also capable of efficient bulk, general cargo and heavy lift operation. The crane provides a lifting capacity of 144 metric tons…

‘Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion’ is a fast moving networking event that focuses on viable solutions for vessels of all sizes. More than 20 expert speakers will highlight a range of unique opportunities. The program covers three phases; ‘Here and Now Technology’ - considers how the U.K. and global marine industry can utilize the latest engineering. ‘Next Generation Systems’ - are within a few years of commercial release. ‘Innovation and Future Possibilities’ - are pushing the boundaries far and wide. The event is being held at the Grand Harbour, Southampton from April 26-28, 2016.

The High Performance Marine Batteries & Stored Energy Workshop set for April 28, 2016 in Southampton will bring together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to highlight the potential use of high performance marine battery systems and stored energy. The objective is to identify a range of genuine solutions for workboats, pilot boats, wind farm support vessels, survey vessels, scientific research craft, fishing vessels, superyachts, military craft and unmanned vessels.

As we see the introduction of storage and renewable energy sources on board ships, a new design philosophy for the electrical power networks is required, especially given the trend towards higher safety standards, better reliability and the reduction in manning. Until recently, electricity on board was largely generated by diesel engine driven synchronous generators. The majority of electrical consumers were linear loads, like induction motors, lighting and heating, which means that  the current three-phase, AC electrical grids are very suitable.

The marine industry is now recognizing the potential of utilizing hybrid power and innovative propulsion systems. Certain maritime sectors are potentially well suited to hybrid systems. These include ferries, pilot boats and workboats that have relatively consistent duty cycles. For military applications, hybrid systems are relevant for patrol, intercept and autonomous vessel duties. Submarines have utilized batteries and stored energy for many years. Diesel/electric systems have long been in use, but these are not hybrid systems.