New Dual Fuel System on the "Leading Edge" of Hybrid Tech

Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques, along with Mayday Electronics, have developed a high-performance diesel-electric propulsion system.

Emerson Electric Co. (Emerson) has announced that Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques, along with Mayday Electronics, have developed a high-performance diesel-electric propulsion system which it says is at the "leading edge of hybrid technology."

The system is said to have been developed for CNB PRO, of Construction Naval Bordeaux (Bénéteau Group), and its client, and its client NAVE VA (NAVE), which recently acquired a new model CNB PRO 20 Hybrid.

"Electric propulsion generates no emissions and is extremely user-friendly: the vessels that use it are silent, experience much lower levels of vibration and are easier to handle. Last but not least in terms of its advantages: parallel hybrid represents an attractive economic proposition," stated Emerson.

The vessel is said to switch to electric power in port or protected areas, with optimal efficiency noted to be achieved when operated at low speeds.

"Diesel engines do not run at optimum efficiency at low speeds. They exhibit low levels of efficiency and are prone to fouling," said Pierre Lompech of CNB PRO.

"The fact that the diesel engine can be shut down in order to use the electric propulsion system helps to preserve it. Its service life can therefore be doubled, depending on the applications."

Lompech says 140 litres of fuel per hour - 70 litres per engine - can be saved by using electric propulsion, and notes that the €350,000 ($397,300) to €400,000 ($454,058) investment that is involved in such a battery set can show a return on investment within less than four seasons of operation.

"The price of electric propulsion could come down even more in the future. The batteries take up a lot of space and are still quite expensive, at about 1 euro per Watt-hour. Since the installed electrical capacity is 125 kWh, the batteries represent about half the cost of the propulsion system," said Eric Brun of Mayday Electronics.

Earlier in the month, Ship & Bunker reported that the largest tour boat to feature electric propulsion in Canada was launched in Ottawa.