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Application key to hybrid energy use in vessels

Hybrid power systems are becoming more acceptable in the marine marketplace, but use of hybrid energy propulsion is directly tied to the vessel’s specific application. Builder, designer, and operator have to agree that a hybrid system can deliver the required performance.

“It’s not right for every application,” Ralph E. Duncan, vice president, marine engineering, marine research, Art Anderson Associates, Bremerton, Wash., said during the Designing Hybrid Systems conference session Thursday at the International Work- Boat Show in New Orleans. “All motors, all batteries are not equal.”

Duncan said some of the questions that need answering before a project can get off the ground are space availability, weight margins, sensitivity to trim, and how will non-propulsion loads be handled.

“You have to understand each application,” said Brent Perry, CEO, Cotvus Energy, who also took part in the conference session. “You have to understand integration and project management.”

“There are various considerations here,” Peter R. Rogers, senior vice president, power products, L-3 Marine Systems, Hamburg, Germany, said in his remarks, “and there are various advantages and disadvantages.”

Apart from the engineering perspective, Perry said customer service would become even more important. “We are all part of an integrated whole. It is a service business,” he said.

“In the coming years, customer service will become the biggest part of our business.”

Details

  • 202 Pacific Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337, United States
  • Art Anderson Associates, Inc.