Battery Hybrid Ferry Trial Shows Reduced Bunker Consumption

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday November 20, 2014

Canadian marine battery designer Corvus Energy (Corvus) Monday announced that its Energy Storage System (ESS) has successfully achieved reductions in bunker consumption during trials.

Corvus said the trials had achieved reduced fuel consumption as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved maintenance costs.

"This trial proves the Corvus energy storage product is an effective solution for modernization of existing vessels, extending their usable lifespan and reducing costs for the operators," said Sean Puchalski, Vice President for Business Development at Corvus.

The announcement marks the completion of a three month trial of Corvus's 960 Volt, 260 kilowatt-hour ESS comprised of 40 Corvus AT6500 lithium polymer batteries.

The ESS was fitted to the MF Finnøy, a 1999-built hybrid passenger ferry operated by Norled A/S in Norway, and was powered by two 650 kilowatt diesel generators.

Norled is said to be assessing whether it will go ahead with a permanent conversion of the vessel.

Corvus was earlier this year said to be pursuing an aggressive growth strategy with the help of Green Marine Capital.