EMEA News
Wärtsilä Successfully Tests Wireless Charging System on Hybrid Ferry
Wärtsilä Corporation (Wärtsilä) today announced that it has successfully tested its automatic wireless induction charging system on a hybrid-powered coastal ferry, the MF Folgefonn.
The vessel is said to be the first commercial ferry in the world to operate with high power wireless charging capability for its batteries.
"During recent years, wireless charging has been introduced for cars, busses and trains. We have now made this possible for marine vessels. The main benefits for customers are up to 20 percent more utilisation of the available charging time, increased operational safety, and greater system reliability," said Ingve Sørfonn, Senior Technical Officer E&A of Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
"There is an ongoing trend to equip coastal ferries with battery powered and hybrid propulsion since they are particularly affected by environmental regulatory demands. Wireless charging will, therefore, create considerable value for operators of hybrid ferries."
Wärtsilä says the charging system has been designed to maintain efficient power transfer at distances of 50 centimetres between the vessel and the quay's charging plates.
The company notes that wireless charging, which eliminates the cable connection between the vessel and shore, ensures safe connections and disconnections and reduces maintenance by eliminating wear and tear to physical connection lines.
"For Wärtsilä, this wireless charging revolution focuses on coastal ferries, a segment of the transportation industry that is well-suited to the technology because of short stop-and-go schedules," said Cato Esperø, Sales Director at Wärtsilä Norway.
"The wireless charger is an innovative and value adding new part of our hybrid solutions offering, which we shall continue to develop further in line with the needs of our customers."
On Monday, Wärtsilä announced a new portfolio of bunker-saving tug designs, the Wärtsilä HYTug series, which features hybrid propulsion technology.
