GE to Provide Tech to Hybrid Diesel-Electric Research Vessel

The Peruvian Navy ship will feature an anti-vibration motor, and is expected to be "one of the most advanced" research vessels in the world.

General Electric (GE) Tuesday announced that, under the request of Construcciones Navales Paulino Freire (Freire Shipyard), it is set to provide a marine solutions package, including the electric power and propulsion system, to the Peruvian Navy's first-ever hybrid diesel-electric propelled research vessel.

"GE's expertise and ability to deliver innovative technology will help to make this research vessel among one of the most advanced in the world," said Guillermo Freire, general manager, Freire Shipyard.

The vessel, which is intended for assignments in the polar regions, specifically the Antarctic, will receive GE's low-voltage electric propulsion system, including generators, switchboard, MV3000 variable frequency drives, and motors.

GE says the propulsion package provides fuel efficiency and a high redundancy rate, and will additionally include the company's SeaStream DP and automation solution.

"The low-voltage electric propulsion system, together with GE's SeaStream DP, will allow for further reduction in fuel consumption," explained the company.

"GE's electrical solution allows systems to stand by, which results in lower fuel consumption and ultimately can help to reduce cost significantly. The offered system can be upgraded with remote diagnostic systems if needed in the future."

The company's anti-vibration motor will help the vessel's electric propulsion system in attaining DNV GL's maritime Silent-A Class notation, says GE, noting that reduced underwater noise is a "vital" requirement of the research tasks that ship is intended to carry out.

In January, GE announced that it had received an order to have its electric power and propulsion systems installed on two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers being built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI).