Corvus Energy and BAE Systems to Provide Propulsion and ESS to Hybrid Tall Ship

Corvus says it will collaborate with BAE Systems on a new hybrid vessel project, the tall ship Matthew Turner.

Canada-based maritime battery manufacturer Corvus Energy (Corvus) has announced that it will collaborate with BAE Systems (BAE) on a third hybrid vessel project following an order from the San Francisco-based Educational Tall Ship Program for an Energy Storage System (ESS) from Corvus.

"Corvus and BAE Systems have been collaborating together on developing power and propulsion systems that are more fuel efficient, providing ship owners with a lower cost of ownership, and reducing the impact on the environment," said Allan Grant, vice president of Business Development at Corvus.

Yesh Premkumar, project manager of Fuel Cell and Maritime Programs at BAE, commenting on the news, said: "our ongoing collaboration with Corvus Energy adds significant value to our hybrid system programs, and we look forward to continuing that work."

The 132 foot brigantine tall ship, the Matthew Turner, which is currently under construction in Sausalito, is set to receive a 100kWh ESS.

Corvus' ESS will be installed on the vessel along with an electric propulsion system designed and installed by BAE.

The systems will enable the vessel, when not under sail power, to be propelled by electric motors connected to the propeller shafts, drawing energy from the Corvus ESS instead of diesel engines.

While under sail, energy generated by propeller rotation from passing water will recharge the Corvus ESS, and when at dock, the ship will also be able to receive a charge from the grid and solar panels.

"Educational Tall Ship sees the Corvus ESS as a key piece of the Matthew Turner, which will help us achieve our innovative vision," said Alan Olson, executive director of Educational Tall Ship. 

"The electric drive on the vessel will visibly demonstrate to the youth how it is possible to marry old and new technology to create something unique, useful and environmentally sustainable."

In September, BAE said it was leading a consortium of technology suppliers to develop new software to monitor ship equipment, fuel, and energy performance in real time, which will be used by U.K.'s Royal Navy and commercial organisations to better understand their cost saving efforts.