ESS TO POWER WORLD’S FIRST HYBRID SES

An energy storage system (ESS) supplier has been confirmed for the world’s first hybrid surface effect ship (SES) for crew transfer.

Corvus Energy has signed a contract with SEC Marine Ltd to supply the ESS for the 22m crew transfer vessel (CTV) being built by Wight Shipyard Co. The lightweight Corvus Energy Dolphin modules are ideally suited to crew transfer vessels as they are tailormade for weight-sensitive vessels and have multiple possibilities of installation which ensures the optimal hybrid solution for maximum emissions reduction.

Batteries are also safer and quieter for the crew and save both fuel and maintenance costs for the owners.

Kim Klokkervold, senior sales manager at Corvus Energy, said: “The electrification of crew transfer boats and smaller workboats has only just begun. We are confident that we will see a massive shift from diesel to battery-hybrid powered propulsion on all kinds of smaller workboats due to substantial benefits and increased focus on reducing emissions.”

The vessel design for the CTV has been developed in partnership with CWind and ESNA. From mid-2020, the crew transfer vessel will service the Borssele 1 and 2 offshore windfarms located 23km off the Dutch coast.

The development of the hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer vessel is in response to an industrywide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce CO2 emissions, while cost-effectively servicing windfarms located offshore.