EMEA News
ABB to Provide Bunker Saving Power System to Norwegian Hybrid Car Ferry
ABB Group (ABB) Monday announced that it will provide the electric power system capable of delivering "significant energy and emissions savings" to a hybrid car ferry, which was designed by Multi Maritime AS and will be built for Torghatten Trafikkselskap AS by Fiskerstrand Verft AS for operation in Western Norway.
The MM63 ferry will be able to operate as a hybrid, or modified to run as a full electric vessel with shore charging system, says ABB, noting that the ferry will have two 270 kWh battery packs that enable the engines to operate "more efficiently at variable speed."
Further, ABB explains that the batteries will be utilised for "peak shaving," meeting power demand while optimising generator function.
"Energy storage has been one of the most important areas of focus for our research and development team," said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB's Marine and Ports.
"We recognize batteries have an important role to play on a range of vessels and is technology for the present as well as the future."
In order to operate the ferry as a fully electric vessel, the owner is said to have the option to add a further sixteen battery packs, as well as a shore power connection.
In December, ABB announced that it will provide "integral technology" to a "futuristic" hybrid diesel electric ferry concept, named Seasight by shipbuilder Brødrene Aa, set to operate in Western Norway.
