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Corvus ESS to Power World's 1st Hybrid SES
The Norwegian-Canadian designer and manufacturer of energy
storage solutions for marine propulsion Corvus Energy announced
that it has signed a contract with SEC Marine Ltd, UK to supply
the energy storage system (ESS) for the world's first hybrid
surface effect ship (SES) for crew transfer.
The development of the 22m hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer
vessel is in response to an industry-wide push to develop and
deploy innovative technologies that reduce CO2 emissions, while
cost-effectively servicing windfarms located offshore.
The vessel design has been developed in partnership with the
operator CWind and ESNA, a ship design company based in
Kristiansand, Norway, which specializes in commercially
competitive vessels with surface effect technology to deliver
significant carbon reductions.
Trygve Halvorsen Espeland, naval architect at ESNA, points to the
advantages: "We see that hybrid propulsion in vessels like
offshore wind crew transfer vessels enables a greener footprint
and multiple benefits for the vessel owners. The vessels have the
benefit of range with the combustion engine, while the batteries
provide both increased speed with power boost, peak shaving and
reduced fuel consumption. Moreover, the engines will have fewer
running hours and the silent hours on board will be appreciated
by the crew and passengers."
He added: "The vessel design will accommodate further
developments in hybrid propulsion and battery technology,
ensuring it has the capability of being developed into a totally
carbon-free solution in the future."
The crew transfer vessel is designed with two catamaran hulls,
closed area between and an inflated rubber bag in the stern which
supports up to 80% of the vessel weight when filled with air. The
remaining 20% is supported by hull buoyancy. Less hull resistance
enables higher vessel speed and less wave contact gives reduced
motion for the crew.
Kim Klokkervold, Senior Sales Manager at Corvus Energy is clear
said: "The electrification of crew transfer boats and smaller
workboats has only just begun. We are confident that we will see
a massive shift from diesel to battery-hybrid powered propulsion
on all kinds of smaller workboats due to substantial benefits and
increased focus on reducing emissions."
The lightweight Corvus Energy Dolphin modules are ideally suited
to crew transfer vessels as they are tailormade for
weight-sensitive vessels and have multiple possibilities of
installation which ensures the optimal hybrid solution for
maximum emission savings. Moreover, batteries are safer and
quieter for the crew, and save both fuel and maintenance costs
for the owners.
The vessel will be built at Wight Shipyard Co in the UK and is
expected to service the Borssele 1 and 2 offshore windfarms
located 23 kilometers off the Dutch coast from mid-2020.
Nov 27, 2019
